Thursday, September 21 2006 10:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India's No. 1 squash exponent Joshna Chinappa feels that the country can bag a gold in the women's category of the Doha Asian Games in December.



"I am pretty sure that India can win a gold in the women's section," Joshna tells.



Joshna, now being coached by former Egyptian international Mohammed Medhat, is riding high after defending her titles at the recent Senior National Squash Championship here and the South Asian Federation Games in Colombo last month.



It is Joshna's sixth national title, which she won by defeating Dipika Pallikal in the final.



Ritwik Bhattacharya, the No. 1 in the men's section, also feel that India would pose a tough challenge to the region's top teams like Pakistan and Malaysia at Doha.

"Winning a gold would be tough. But the way we have been shaping up in the past few months, I am hopeful that we will give a tough fight to the top Asian teams like Malaysia and our neighbour Pakistan," Ritwik tells.



Ritwik lost in the second round of the 2002 Busan Asian Games, while Joshna crashes out in the opening round.



Ong Beng Hee of Malaysia and Gold Rebecca Chiu of Hong Kong win the men's and women's gold medals respectively.



That more and more talented youngsters are coming up was evident at the National Championships. One instance is five-time national champion Ritwik's loss to Gaurav Nandrajog in the semi-finals.



But 26-year-old Ritwik says it is a 'good sign' for Indian squash.

"This is the first time I didn't make it to the title clash since my maiden final appearance in 1998. I think this proves that talent is really coming up," he says.

"Besides Saurav Ghoshal other players like Gaurav, Harinder Pal Sandhu, Ramit Tandon and Naresh Kumar have really emerged as bright prospects."

With six Professional Squash Association titles to his name, Ritwik is like a big brother to them and often gives tips to young players.

"Junior players like Ghoshal and others often approach me for tips and I feel honoured obliging them. Though they are really talented, I try to help them out in my own way," he says.

The squad for Doha has not been chosen as yet but Ritwik, Ghoshal, Johsna and Dipika are expected to make it to quadrennial games.

Says Ghoshal, who defeated Nandrajog in the national final here, "I have already started preparations for the Asian Games."

Ghoshal, whose first national title came in 2004 when he defeated Riwik in the final in Chennai, is currently practising for the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open in next month.

"It will also help me to sharpen my skills for the Asiad," he says.