Three Dubai teenagers aim to make a mark in world of squash

Dubai - They are fortunate enough to have a former world top 15 player to train and painstakingly look into their game

The three youngsters have many things in common. Serious squash has taken them to new heights and they want to establish themselves on the junior circuit before trying to go on to the professional stage.
They are fortunate enough to have a former world top 15 player to train and painstakingly look into their game. Their styles may differ slightly but at the end of the day, the ambition they have makes them a formidable young brigade in the sport here.
The teenagers we are talking about - Maanav Mandhian and the Khatri brothers Maaz and Saad - will take on the challenges in India and Australia in high ranking national circuit events shortly.
Fifteen-year old Maaz, already the top under 17 player of the circuit Down Under, is next aiming to land the Australian National Championship in the same category.
"I won the under 17 tour event last season in Australia. It is another opportunity to make a mark, at the national event for Australian citizens," said Repton School's Maaz who trains with his brother and Mandhian in Dubai.
"We go through a regular routine of two to three hours a day depending on the school hours and for the past three years we have been fortunate to have Abbas sir (Khan) with us to continuously help us with our basics and more importantly now, in the fitness aspects. We have full parental support and with the type of tips and strict programme chalked out specially for us, the dream of making it to the world stage is definitely a possibility," he told Khaleej Times.
Mumbai will be Mandhian's first big stage appearance and the 16-year old doesn't seem to be nervous one bit when asked about his chances in the Indian under 17 circuit.
"I am confident of doing well though it is the first big championship I will be taking part in. Competitive squash can be a different story altogether. Such has been the training under Abbas sir that one feels adequate to cross the hurdles in a debut like this," Mandhian, who now moves into the 11th grade at Emirates International School, Jumeirah, said.
Saad, finished fifth in the Australian under 15 rankings last season, and this year, has to play in the under 17 category, having crossed 15 this year. "I have two years to make the top ranking my brother achieved last season," Saad, also of Repton School, Dubai said, "One day I hope our training and hard work for the past two years will help us to go on top before we can go somewhere in professional squash."
The teenagers want to pursue their higher studies in universities that have squash as a major programme in the curriculum.
"The eastern universities tend to have better squash scholarships at the under grad level in the US. The Ivy League and some new names come as priorities. Opportunity in one of them will give the opportunity to train at the highest level while getting top class education," said Mandhian.
"These youngsters have it in them to achieve high levels provided they maintain simple routines and fitness levels," said Abbas Khan, UAE Squash Association coach.