I want at least my son to play squash in Olympics: Rodney

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Disappointment is palpable on Rodney Eyles face when the former world champion talks about squash fraternity’s agonising wait to get into the Olympics.

The racquet sport has been featured regularly at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Pan American Games since 1995, but Olympic status remains elusive.

Rodney, winner of the World Open in 1997, hopes at least his children will be able to realise his unfulfilled dream of representing Australia at the Games if squash gets the nod for the 2020 programme.

“After narrowly missing out on two occasions (for 2012 and 2016), the World Squash Federation is doing an aggressive campaign now and I am optimistic that we will achieve it this time.

We deserve to be there as the sport fulfills all the criteria,” said Rodney, a silver medallist at the 1998 Commonwealth Games partnering Byron Davis in doubles. In mid 2013, the Executive Committee of the IOC will announce the list of disciplines to be featured in the 2020 Olympics.

Rodney says squash has evolved over the years with the world body and both the professional Tours (PSA and Wispa) playing constructive roles. “The first big step was adopting the point-a-rally scoring system which shortened the matches. Now, the introduction of electronic referral system (like hawkeye) has made it more spectator friendly,” added the 44-year-old who is in the city as the coach of Australia’s U-21 team.

Rodney was a contemporary of squash legend Jansher Khan to whom he lost the final of the 1986 world juniors. In his 16-year career on the Tour, Rodney has won several titles including Australian Open, US Open, French Open and Tournament of Champions.

After retiring from the Tour, Rodney trained youngsters in Italy, Hong Kong and the USA before returning to his home town, the Gold Coast, to establish the Rod Eyles Squash Academy.

Rodney is no stranger to India. He won the Mumbai Mahindra Open in 1997 and he was the manager of the successful Australian team at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. India’s meteoric rise in squash has impressed the Australian coach.

“The growth can be attributed to the world-class infrastructure here and an array of tournaments that are being held,” concluded Rodney.