Egyptian to replace Maniam as SRFI's consultant coach

With Major Maniam’s 14-year period as the consultant coach of Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) coming to an end in June this year, the national federation has zeroed in on an Egyptian coach to replace Maniam.

Major Maniam (left) with national coach and Cyrus Poncha.

With Major Maniam’s 14-year period as the consultant coach of Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) coming to an end in June this year, the national federation has zeroed in on an Egyptian coach to replace Maniam.

Speaking to Sportstar , national coach Cyrus Poncha — while refusing to divulge the name of the Egyptian — said that the Union Sports Ministry has given the clearance in principle and the coach will most probably come to the city to have a look at the Indian Squash Academy and the facilities it offers.

It is reliably learnt that the federation has been scouting for a coach since January 2016.

The Egyptian in his late 40s has coached top players such as Ramy Ashour and Raneem El Weleily, when they were juniors.

“We are hoping that he will visit Indian Squash Academy and have a discussion with us next month (May). We believe that his association with us will benefit Indian squash,” Poncha said. “We are hopeful that in the next 30 days to bring a potential coach to work with the Indian team,” he added.