Rotary Club of Madras felicitates Joshna Chinappa

The World No.17 Chinappa said the award will spur her to put her best foot forward in the Commonwealth Games to be held in Gold Coast, Australia in April.

Rotary Club of Madras President P.N. Mohan (L) felititates Squash player Joshna Chinnappa as Sports Achiever Award at a function in Chennai.

India's top squash player Joshna Chinappa received the Sports Achiever award from the Rotary Club of Madras at a function here on Tuesday.

Accepting the award, the World No.17, said the award will spur her to put her best foot forward in the Commonwealth Games to be held in Gold Coast, Australia in April.  

The 31-year-old, defending her Commonwealth Games (women's doubles) title with Dipika Pallikal Karthik, said the competition will be tough as all teams including New Zealand, Malaysia, England, Wales will provide stiff challenge. "It will be tough since all all the top squash teams except Egypt will be present. From the first round, it will be difficult," said the 15-time National champion.

Looking back on the season gone by, Joshna said it's been a mixed year. "I was ill, had some tough losses. The key is to stay injury-free for the next seven months," she said. 

With Squash Rackets Federation of India's foreign coach Ashraf El Karargui unlikely to stay after the CWG, Joshna had only words of praise for the Egyptian. "He was always involved in our game. We have huge respect for him. Of course, to stay with the Indian team or leave is his choice. But we are happy that he is here with us for the CWG," said the reigning Asian individual champion, who will be leaving soon for the Windy City Open scheduled in Chicago from February 22 to 28.