Cyrus Poncha

Cyrus Poncha is an Indian squash administrator and coach. Born in Mumbai, he is currently based out of Chennai, and coaches at the ICL-TNSRA Squash Academy. Presently, he is the Secretary General of Squash Rackets Federation of India. He is a Dronacharya Awardee. He was adjudged Asian Squash Federation Coach of the Year six times. He has coached several squash players such as Joshna Chinappa, Dipika Pallikal Karthik, Saurav Ghoshal and Velavan Senthilkumar.

Cyrus Poncha
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting the Dronacharya Award to Cyrus Poncha, in New Delhi on 29 August 2005
Born
Mumbai, India
Occupation(s)Secretary General of Squash Rackets Federation of India, Squash coach
Years active2000–present

Early life and career

Cyrus was born in Mumbai.[1] Cyrus was a nationally ranked junior plater but took up coaching instead of becoming a professional on the squash circuit.[2] However, he started coaching other squash players at the age of 18.[2] He moved to Chennai to work under S. Maniam, a Malaysian coach in ICL-TNSRA Squash Academy in 2000.[3][4][5] Soon after, he became the national head coach of Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), which is the governing body of squash in India.[6][7] In 2005, he was awarded the Dronacharya Award, the highest honour for sport coaches in India by then Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.[3][8] He has also won the 'Coach of the Year' from Asian Squash Federation award six times in 2016, 2004, 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2016.[9][10][11][12]

He has obtained WSF level-III coaching certificate and coached players both the junior squash and senior circuits.[2][3] Players he has coached include Joshna Chinappa, Dipika Pallikal Karthik, Saurav Ghoshal, Anaka Alankamony, Kush Kumar, Harinder Pal Sandhu and Velavan Senthilkumar among others.[3] Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal Karthik have won gold in 2014 Commonwealth games and are in the top 20 of Women's Squash World Ranking.[13][14]

In June 2019, he was elected as the new Secretary General of SRFI. He will hold the position for four years, until 2023.[15][16]

Awards

References
  1. "Squash Rackets Federation of India". www.indiasquash.com. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  2. "Cyrus Poncha: The architect of India's squash empire". The Bridge. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  3. "Uplifting Indian squash - a mission for Cyrus Poncha". The Bridge. 22 June 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  4. "The man who fostered squash in India". dtNext.in. 6 March 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  5. "Opening up new vistas for squash talent". The Hindu. 12 December 2002. Archived from the original on 23 September 2003. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  6. "A Study on Squash in India" (PDF). iismworld.com. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  7. "How Indian squash grapples with lack of full-time coach". The Bridge. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  8. "Interview with India's National Squash Coach Cyrus Poncha". 15 December 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  9. "National squash coach Cyrus Poncha to get Asian award". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  10. "National squash coach Cyrus Poncha nominated for ASF Award". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  11. "National squash coach Cyrus Poncha to get Asian award". Deccan Chronicle. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  12. "National squash coach Cyrus Poncha to get Asian Squash Federation 'Coach of the Year' award". The Indian Express. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  13. Vinod, A. (2 August 2014). "Dipika and Joshna create history". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  14. Mohanarangan, Vinayakk. "'Target for players is to reach world's top 10': Interview with India's squash coach Cyrus Poncha". Scroll.in. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  15. "National coach Cyrus Poncha is new Secretary-General of SRFI - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  16. "Squash Rackets Federation of India". www.indiasquash.com. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
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