Dipika Pllikal will not be seen at World Team Championships, U-19

Squash World Team Championships, Under-19to be held in Canada from December 1^st to 4^th will see Indian players Joshana Chinnappa with Anaka Alankamony and Sachika Ingale with Harshit Kaur represent the country. However, it has recently been revealed that Dipika Pallikal, the highest-ranked Indian woman squash player, will not be participating.

The shocking part is that the player says she has no idea about the championship.  Joshana Chinnappa and Pallikal were the winning duo during the Commonwealth Games. Where Chinnappa’s current world ranking is #21, Pallikal’s is #16.

When asked about Pallikal’s absence, Chinnappa told DNA Analysis, "We will try to finish in the top 12. It won't be easy without Dipika as the no. 1 player of one team will meet the opposite team's no. 1, and likewise the no. 2s and 3s will meet their opposite numbers. In Dipika's absence I think Anaka will be our no. 2 player."

This news may cause disappointment to many squash fans as the best player of the sport will not be representing the country. The duo however, will be seen playing together in Cairo, Egypt, soon after the World Team Championships in Canada.  The World Championship that follows from December 12^th -20^th will see Pallikal who won a bronze medal at Incheon trying to “go at least one better.”

Indian Express>

Chinnappa, who too is excited for the event in Cairo, said, "There would be more tournaments for women, whether it is USD 25,000, 50,000, Platinum or above. It's amazing what PSA (men's tour) has been doing and WSA (women's tour) has been slowly catching up."

Adding that having their Calendar full for the year is a huge encouragement for the women players in the sport, she said, "There is a strong club culture in Egypt, there are around 40 clubs in Cairo and the clubs support their players financially. Young players 12-13 old get chance to play with the professionals."

ORIGINAL SOURCE: DNA Analysis

http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-india-s-no-1-woman-player-dipika-pallikal-unaware-of-world-team-event-2033416