New Delhi, March 21 (NationPress) Former India No. 1 squash player, Saurav Ghosal, has discussed the notable change in mindset that is essential for his new position off the court. He revealed that his priorities have shifted from personal achievement to fostering and enhancing the broader squash community.

Now serving as the Sports Commissioner with World Premier Squash (WPS), Ghosal indicated that transitioning from being a top-tier athlete to focusing on the sport's development requires a fundamental change in outlook. “Firstly, it feels quite strange to be referred to as an administrator. (laughs) It's not something I aspire to be,” Ghosal shared in an exclusive interview with IANS, reflecting on his newfound responsibilities.

He elaborated on the differences between his competitive days and his current position, noting that professional athletes tend to be self-centered. “As a player, it's clear that your focus is on your own performance as an elite competitor. In a sense, we are somewhat selfish, striving to discover what benefits us the most while also doing our best for our country,” he explained.

Ghosal pointed out that his present role requires a more holistic and inclusive approach. “In my current position, it is crucial to think beyond my individual ambitions and consider how we can positively influence and support the entire squash ecosystem,” he stated.

He highlighted the importance of understanding the diverse needs of various stakeholders and creating avenues that will encourage more people to engage with the sport. “This mindset shift is vital to empathize with others, comprehend their interests, and offer them experiences that inspire and motivate them to be part of this wonderful game,” he noted.

In his capacity at WPS, Ghosal is dedicated to increasing participation and narrowing gaps across different levels of the sport. “The primary goal for me getting involved with World Premier Squash was to expand the player base,” he mentioned.

Despite the professional circuit providing strong entertainment value, he acknowledged that it remains disconnected from a significant portion of the recreational playing community. “We do have a solid professional game, yet many recreational players are not as connected to it as they should be,” he remarked.

He stressed the necessity of expanding the sport's reach beyond its current audience, indicating that attracting new players and viewers poses a significant challenge. “We struggle to engage individuals outside the existing squash community, to encourage them to participate and watch the game,” he explained.

Ghosal elaborated that the format of World Premier Squash is crafted to create a more inclusive environment, allowing players of varying ages and skill levels to come together. “The entire structure is designed to unite juniors as young as 10 years old with individuals aged 65 or even 70, engaging them in diverse skill challenges and activities, all while forming one cohesive community,” he elaborated.

He added that such a framework could offer unique opportunities for players who otherwise may not have access to the highest levels of competition. “It's akin to a pyramid, allowing players to step onto the court alongside the world's elite, which they typically wouldn't have access to,” he said.

Moreover, he stressed the importance of digital engagement in broadening the sport's reach, underscoring its central role in contemporary growth. “Creating content that brings people together, forms communities, and garners traction on social media is essential, as social media is often our primary currency for engagement today,” he stated.

Ghosal believes that highlighting grassroots-level activities could attract new audiences. “If we capture that content—and I believe we will, as some remarkable things happen at clubs—individuals who don't currently follow squash may look at it and think, ‘Wow, this is genuinely an exciting game,’” he proposed.

In conclusion, he expressed that the overarching goal is to unify the sport through increased participation and visibility. “If we can grow the player population and bring them into a single ecosystem while raising awareness about the game and its essence, we will have fulfilled our mission with World Premier Squash,” he asserted.

He concluded that this initiative has the potential to evolve into a central platform for the sport's future. “Ideally, it will become a viral content engine and a consolidation of the entire squash community into one cohesive ecosystem,” he added.