With Olympic dreams, ambitious Yash heads to Barcelona
Panaji:
Yash Fadte has returned home after a successful four-year stint in the US, where he graduated from the University of Rochester, led them to its first Hoehn Cup, and won the Skillman Award, which recognised his sportsmanship and skill throughout his college career.
Had the squash star accepted an internship offer and subsequently taken up the job, he could have stayed back and lived a comfortable life. A scholarship at Harvard was also turned down. Instead, he opted for the grind of professional squash with the dream of returning to the US, for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
'Squash is my life, my big goal, and I cannot keep this on hold,' Yash told
TOI
recently. 'I can take up a job even later in my life.'
The 23-year-old's big aim is to take part in the Olympics when squash makes its debut at the biggest sporting spectacle in sports. That's three years from now, and to help him move swiftly towards the goal, the four-time Asian junior medallist is moving to Barcelona.
Yash will be based at Barcelona Global Squash, one of Europe's leading squash academies.
'I think it will help me a great deal since the world's best players all train there.
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It's in central Europe, so it's easier for me to travel everywhere and take part in international tournaments. Playing against top players will improve my game,' said Yash.
Barcelona Global Squash is recognised as an attractive training destination for young players wishing to make the transition to the Professional Squash Association (PSA) world tour or young professionals already competing on the international circuit who are looking for a professional framework to move their game forward.
'I understand that making it to the Olympics won't be easy, but I don't want to be left with regrets. If I fail, no problem. I want to give it my best shot,' said Yash.
As a junior, Yash has won the US Open, French Open, and won medals four times at the Asian championships. Olympics, though, is a different game altogether, with the world's best players vying for a spot. It won't be easy, particularly for someone who is only beginning to compete against the top-ranked players.
'A lot of the players who I was up against as a junior are doing well (in the seniors category) and that provides me hope,' said Yash.
India is among the top eight countries in squash. For a place at the Olympics, Yash will face stiff competition at home itself with stars like Ramit Tandon, Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthilkumar and Veer Chotrani, all in the top five.
'Most of India's top squash players are backed by their state govts, industrial houses, or sports foundations.
We have no such support. Even state govt has done little to help our cause. If govt just clears what is due to us, or delivers on the promises made in the state assembly, we will be in a much stronger position,' said Yash's father, Dilip, a former sportsperson who played Ranji Trophy matches for Goa, as well as county cricket in England.
The assurance in the state legislative assembly was made by chief minister Pramod Sawant in 2020.
'We will consider 10 sportspersons every year (for financial assistance). The case of Yash Fadte will be considered,' Sawant had said while speaking on the congratulatory motion tabled by Tivim MLA Nilkant Halarnkar.
Yash has not received a penny. In fact, he wasn't even considered for SAG's scheme for 'achieving excellence in sports at international level' that has a grant of Rs 30 lakh.
'It's now or never,' said Dilip.
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