Ex-India Hockey star Mohammed Riaz’s daughter Shameena makes Asian Games Squash squad

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Shameena Makes Asian Games Squash Squad (Image: Facebook)

CHENNAI: Shameena Riaz has followed her father Mohammed Riaz’s footsteps, but in a different ball game. The 20-year-old Tamil Nadu squash player secured the final spot in India's women’s squad for the Asian Games after receiving a walkover from injured Akanksha Salunkhe while trailing 8-9 in the opening game of their playoff match here on Monday.Shameena’s maiden Asiad will have a special connection — it will be held in Japan, the same country where her father, the renowned former India hockey player and two-time Asian Games medallist made his Asian Games debut in 1994.“I have always dreamt of playing in the Asian Games. I had a little bit of pressure on myself (competing against Akanksha in a do-or-die match). I had to talk to my coaches and take out all the pressure and stay calm on court because winning was more important,” Shameena told TOI.The significance of the achievement overwhelmed the youngster, who hugged her father after sealing the berth and told him: “I have done it.”“He has played in the Asian Games, and now I am going to play in the same event in the same country. It is an emotional moment,” she added.In the men’s section, Velavan Senthilkumar and Suraj Chand secured the remaining places in the team, while Joshna Chinappa and Tanvi Khanna joined Shameena in the women’s squad.

Abhay Singh, Veer Chotrani and Anahat Singh had already qualified through their superior world rankings. Abhay and Veer will compete in men’s singles, while Anahat and Tanvi will feature in women’s singles. Velavan-Joshna and Suraj-Shameena will pair up in the mixed doubles event.The Squash Rackets Federation of India will conduct a national camp from Aug 1 to 8, with plans to bring in three top-35 ranked players as sparring partners and appoint a foreign coach ahead of the Asian Games.