LONDON -- Raheem Sterling has said he believes it is better to score and win when faced with racism than it is for a team to walk off the pitch.

Manchester City and England forward Sterling has become a key figure in the fight against racism, speaking out following incidents at Chelsea and Montenegro and criticising some media coverage of black players.

Some senior football figures, including City boss Pep Guardiola and Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp, have said they would be prepared to take players off in response to racism, but Sterling said he believed winning a game was a more effective response.

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion," he told a news conference. "My mum has taught me how to love myself, how to love my skin colour and how to be comfortable in my skin colour.

"I wouldn't personally agree with it [walking off]. I would rather go and win the game because that would hurt them even more.

"They're trying to get you down. If you do walk off the pitch as a group, then that makes them win. If you score a goal to win the match, then that's even a better feeling which beats them."

The 24-year-old faces England teammate Danny Rose in a Champions League quarterfinal first leg at Spurs on Tuesday, days after Rose said he could not wait to retire from football because of the game's failure to clamp down on racism.

"I think it's something he's come across quite a number of times and it probably is getting a bit much for him," Sterling said.

"I respect his comments and it's a shame to hear that, really. Not everyone's the same, not everyone takes it the same way -- to hear that, it's not really a nice thing to hear."

Asked about his role in the fight against racism, Sterling said: "I don't really think I can make a difference, this is something that has been happening since before I was born, before my parents were born, so I can only speak up about events that happen to me and the people around me and that's as much as I can do to raise awareness.

"I'm not trying to be someone that leads or something like that. I can just raise awareness, and it's for people in higher places to do their job."

City boss Guardiola said: "Unfortunately it is not a problem with football or one specific area, it is a social problem. It's always difficult to understand, in the 21st century, why we are debating this kind of situation.

"All I can say is what Danny Rose has done, well done. We have to fight every day to eradicate it and make a better society."

Juventus' France midfielder Blaise Matuidi hit out at the increase in racist incidents after he was one of three Juve players racially abused by fans at Cagliari last week.

"It's sad," he said. "It happened to me last year in this stadium and we cannot tolerate it.

"You can tell me: 'Maybe it's not racist, they just want to unsettle you.' No. These are things you do not say, and they must be punished.

"I could not calm down. I did not want to ignore it. You have to fight it. We can't allow this any more. We must have the courage to end it.

"These are stupid people. They should never be allowed to come to the stadium again."

NEW YORK -- Authorities said a spectator faces assault and trespassing charges after tackling wrestler Bret "The Hitman" Hart while he was giving a speech during the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony Saturday night in Brooklyn.

Bail was set at $1,500 for Zachary Madsen of Lincoln, Nebraska, at a hearing on Sunday night. The judge also issued orders of protection barring Madsen from approaching Hart, who wasn't hurt, and a security worker.

Other wrestlers helped subdue the attacker, and Hart resumed his speech.

Prosecutors said in court that Madsen told police that he "felt like it was right moment" to go after the wrestling legend.

His lawyer said Madsen is "agreeable and cooperative" and has no criminal convictions.

WWE described Madsen as "an over-exuberant fan."

Madsen had a previous run-in with a fighter in Lincoln.

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Dale Tallon and Joel Quenneville are together again, and the Florida Panthers are ready for them to recreate their magic.

Quenneville -- who is second on the NHL's all-time victory list -- was hired Monday to coach the Panthers, who started their offseason with a splash. It's also a reunion, as Tallon hired Quenneville to coach Chicago in 2008 and wound up watching him win three Stanley Cups there in a six-year span.

We've got the man with the 'stache #NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/xMR9rwSlyJ

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) April 8, 2019

Tallon wasn't there for those Chicago titles; he was fired less than a year after delivering Quenneville.

"Fate is a wonderful thing in my life," Tallon said. "It's like a blessing for me. This is a blessing. There are a lot of coaching jobs available. We wanted to get it done because he's a popular guy and a lot of teams out there would love to have him as their coach."

It's a bold move for the Panthers, who went deep into the checkbook to get Quenneville -- he was owed $6 million for the 2019-20 season by the Blackhawks, and it's believed this deal keeps him in that salary range. It also represents a serious shift in the organization's thinking, considering five of the past six coaches hired by Florida were first-time head coaches.

Not Quenneville. With 890 wins, he is second only to Scotty Bowman in NHL history. He is one of 11 coaches with three Stanley Cups.

Florida desperately wants to see him win a fourth.

"His record is impeccable," Tallon said. "I think this is going to be a complete shot in the arm for the whole organization, on and off the ice. This is big time. This is a major step forward for our franchise."

Quenneville replaces Bob Boughner, who was fired Sunday after two seasons. Tallon wasn't looking to fire Boughner, and made clear that he still holds him in high regard.

But when Tallon read an article that suggested Quenneville was itching to coach again, the wheels started spinning. Tallon, a stickler for rules, said he didn't directly go to his friend Quenneville first. He started by going to Panthers owner Vincent Viola to discuss the option and plot a strategy. He then obtained permission from the Blackhawks to talk to Quenneville, who was fired by Chicago in November and was still under contract.

Then the sales pitch started. Late Sunday, an understanding was reached. Monday morning, the deal was announced.

"This doesn't come around very often, opportunities like this," Tallon said. "We had to think about what's best for the franchise long-term. And this is a fabulous day for our franchise."

Some of Quenneville's former Chicago players, told of the possibility of his move to Florida on Sunday, gave the move immediate high marks.

"Happy for him, you know? Happy for Dale as well," Chicago star Patrick Kane said. "I know they kind of started off together here, so I'm sure they'll put together a good team and win a lot of games."

Quenneville's move to Florida makes sense on many levels. He likes golf. He's big into horse racing. He and Tallon have stayed close.

There's also promise on the ice.

Florida has a core of strong offensive players -- Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Evgenii Dadonov and Mike Hoffman all had big scoring years, and Vincent Trocheck has emerged as a true leadership voice in the locker room. Goaltender Roberto Luongo, if he returns, is another clear leader.

"It's a huge resume and a big name to have in the locker room," Luongo said. "Guys will look at that and respect what he has to say. He's won and he's proven that he know what it takes to win night in and night out in this league."

Florida plans to be aggressive on July 1 to find free agents who will immediately shore up a porous defense.

Quenneville figures to only make Florida more attractive to those free agents.

"I don't want expectations to be, 'Oh, let's fight for a playoff spot,'" Tallon said. "I want to be the best. Vinnie's given us that opportunity. He wants to win, I want to win, and now this sends the message worldwide: This team means business. And we're going to go after it."

A year after the Blackhawks fired Tallon, Florida made him its general manager in 2010. The Panthers have been in almost annual flux during Tallon's tenure with the team. They went through an ownership change. They went through a power struggle during which Tallon was in charge, then wasn't, and now is again. They've gone through six coaches, 164 players and even five captains during that time.

And none of it has led to postseason success.

Quenneville has fixed such scenarios before. Before Quenneville took over in Chicago, the Blackhawks hadn't won a playoff series in 11 years. They then won 16 series in Quenneville's first seven seasons.

Tallon is betting Quenneville can do it again.

"Me and Q, we're on the back nine and we want to finish it off in style," Tallon said. "We want to be comfortable doing it and have fun doing it."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl isn't dwelling on the missed call on a potential double dribble by Virginia's Ty Jerome that might have helped his team advance to the national title game.

Pearl said Monday on ESPN's Get Up! that human error is a part of the game and he's proud of how his players handled a crushing defeat on Saturday.

"The biggest point I want to make, and I'm sincere in this, I'm not just saying this because it's politically the right thing to say. There is human error involved in the game. Kids make mistakes, coaches make mistakes. Yes, officials will make mistakes. That's part of the game. Get over it," he said.

"Sometimes they're going to go your way, sometimes they're not going to go your way. Are we going to give God less glory because we lost and ... only because we win? Stop. Grow up, this is part of the game. These kids taught us, I think, in many, many ways how to handle defeat. And that's a difficult thing to do for these young kids. And I'm proud of them."

The missed call came with Auburn leading by two points when Jerome dribbled behind his back and the ball hit the back of his right foot. Jerome then picked up the ball and dribbled again. The infraction went uncalled, and Bryce Brown fouled Jerome to force an inbounds play with 1.5 seconds left.

If the double dribble had been called, it likely would have led to Auburn winning the game. Instead, Virginia won the game 63-62 when Kyle Guy made three free throws with 0.6 seconds left after being fouled on by Samir Doughty on a 3-point attempt. Brown and Doughty both said they disagreed with the call after the game.

J.D. Collins, the NCAA's national coordinator of officiating, issued a statement explaining that the foul was called because Doughty "moved into the airborne shooter, making contact with Guy while taking away his landing spot."

Collins declined to comment on the potential double dribble.

The Virginia Cavaliers and Texas Tech Red Raiders will compete for the national championship on Monday night in Minneapolis. Our panel made predictions for the final game of the 2018-19 college basketball season and addressed other issues surrounding the matchup.

Jump to predictions for Monday's national championship game

We just endured the most controversial two seconds in Final Four history. What has to happen Monday night to redeem this tournament? Does it need to be redeemed?

Myron Medcalf, senior college basketball writer: I don't think this tournament needs redemption. We just witnessed a great Elite Eight, and the controversial conclusion of Saturday's Virginia-Auburn outcome was fueled by the emotions more than the facts. But it would be nice if Texas Tech and Virginia somehow shocked us all by manufacturing an entertaining finale. I think many are anticipating an ugly game. Both teams have played some thrilling games this season. If we get the measured matchup we expect to see, I think the lasting memory from this tournament, for many, will be Saturday's controversy. And this season's NCAA tournament deserves better.

Jeff Borzello, college basketball insider: I'm not sure it needs to be redeemed, and I think a lot of people have forgotten the fairly lackluster first weekend of the tournament. And if they haven't forgotten it, oh well. The regional final round was perhaps the best in the history of the NCAA tournament, and we've gotten some all-time great games (Virginia vs. Purdue chief among them). As for Saturday night, it was a clear foul by Samir Doughty on Kyle Guy. End of discussion. Fouled him on the way up, and didn't let him land. The missed-double-dribble debate is a different story, but then we have to get into a debate about the missed foul when Bryce Brown grabbed Ty Jerome a split second before the double dribble. Missed calls happen. It is what it is.

John Gasaway, college basketball writer: No redemption needed, but speaking less abstractly, a great title game will drown out such talk, whether that's fair or not. The incorrect non-call on Jerome's double dribble followed by the correct (if brave) foul called on Doughty with 0.6 seconds remaining were yet two more examples of the deal we make when we care about this "sports" thing. Calls are wrong all the time, and even technically correct calls can be questioned. We knew the "calls are wrong" part after last season's NFC Championship Game. I feel for Charles Barkley and every other Auburn fan, and welcome to that club, Tigers. A faint but tenacious and inescapable residue of injustice is, alas, a feature and not a bug.

Jordan Schultz, insider/analyst: The tournament was redeemed with an exceptional Elite Eight that featured blue-blood programs, clutch shot-making and high-level NBA talent. As disappointing as the opening weekend was from an upset standpoint, all we need now is a clean game without referee drama. In Texas Tech and Virginia, Monday's national title tilt has two teams that mirror one another. Both rank in the top five nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom, and both are comfortable playing half-court slugfests. That does not necessarily translate to a boring game, however. Defense and rebounding will come into play, and offense will be at a premium, which puts additional pressure on the future pros, especially Tech's Jarrett Culver, who has struggled to find his shooting stroke of late. But Culver thrives on pressure -- he single-handedly closed out the Spartans with a personal 6-0 run -- and we hope it will bring out the best of him once again.

Edward Cheserek equals world 5km best in Carlsbad as Europe stages a number of high-quality marathons and half-marathons

While British eyes were on the ERRA Spring Road Relays at Sutton Coldfield, there were many other notable performances all over the world.

Carlsbad 5000, USA, April 7

Kenya’s Edward Cheserek won in 13:29 and equalled the world 5km record mark of Julian Wanders set in Monaco. The distance has only been regarded for world records in recent months and faster times set in previous years have been disregarded for record purposes.

Sharon Lokedi was first woman in 15:48 with Britain’s Charlotte Arter second in 16:01 while further Brits included Alice Wright 16:05 and Jenny Nesbitt 16:38.

Newly-crowned world masters indoors M40 1500m champion James Thie won the masters race in 15:48.

Cherry Blossom 10, USA, April 7

Rosemary Wanjiru set a world best of 50:42 to eclipse Sonia O’Sullivan’s 51:00 2002 time. It was the Kenyan’s first ever race longer than 10km, as Goytetom Gebrslase in 50:47 and Margaret Muriuku in 51:38 completed the women’s top three.

Behind, Steph Twell clocked 52:58 to go No.10 on the UK all-time rankings.

In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer won in 45:36 to beat Kenya’s Josphat Tanui by a second, with Edwin Kibichiy third in 45:57. In fourth, former Kenyan Stanley Kebenei set a US record of 46:00.

IAAF Walks Grand Prix, Podebrady, Czech Republic, April 6

Vasiliy Mizinov, and authorised neutral athlete and the European bronze medallist, won the 87th event in 80:14 with Britain’s Callum Wilkinson sixth in 81:34 which is a UK under-23 record and moves him second all-time among UK seniors behind Tom Bosworth.

Italy’s Eleonora Giorgi won the women’s race in 1:27:48 while Heather Lewis was 12th in a PB 1:35:04 which consolidates her position as fifth all-time among British athletes.

Chris Snook was second in the under-20 10km in 43:37 which puts him third all-time among UK juniors.

ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon, April 7

There were 13095 finishers in the event and Jenny Spink won the women’s race in 2:35:19 with Fanni Gyurlo second in 2:39:51.

The first man to finish was Aaron Richmond of Bideford in 2:21:34 with Gareth Raven second on 2:26:07. Simon Lawson won the wheelchair marathon in 1:31:52.

Paddock Wood Half-Marathon, Kent, April 7

Top M40 Nick Torry won the men’s race in 65:34 by over a minute as Eilidh Bell won the women’s race in 79:03.

Victoria Park Harriers 5, April 6

Ahmed Abdulle won the men’s race in 25:19 with Paul Martelletti third in 25:49 having warmed up with 10 miles at the same pace as he did a marathon-paced run. Annabel Gummow won the women’s race in 28:09.

NN Rotterdam Marathon, Netherlands, April 7

Kenya’s Marius Kipserem broke the course record with a 2:04:11 PB made up of 62:17 and 61:54 half-marathon splits.

Kaan Kigen Ozbilen went second on the European all-time list behind Mo Farah with a Turkish record 2:05:26.

Kenyan Emmanuel Saina was third in 2:05:42 while Abdi Nageeye smashed the Dutch record with 2:06:18 to finish fourth and move to fourth on the European all-time list.

European champion Koen Naert just missed the Belgian record but was seventh in a PB 2:07:39.

Ethiopia’s Ashete Bekere won the women’s race in 2:22:55 ahead of Kenya’s Stella Barsosio (2:23:37) and Aliphine Tuliamuk from USA (2:26:48).

Sportisimo Prague Half-Marathon, Czech Republic, April 6

Benard Kimeli defended his title in a fast 59:07 and took 40 seconds off his PB as he defeated Felix Kibitok by a second and led a Kenyan sweep of the top five. Stephen Kiprop was third in 59:20.

Caroline Kipkirui won the women’s race in 65:44 half a minute in front of European 10,000m champion Lonah Salpeter, whose 66:09 was an Israeli record.

#PragueHalf the absolute winner of this year Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon is Benard Kimeli! Huge congratulations! pic.twitter.com/g8r5ZwQjaZ

— RunCzech (@RunCzech) April 6, 2019

Milan Marathon, Italy, Apr 7

Titus Ekiru with an even 2:04:46 and Vivian Kiplagat (2:22:55) broke the Italian all-comers’ records.

Evans Chebet (2:07:22) and Edwin Koech (2:08:24) completed a Kenyan men’s clean sweep while Kiplagat won by more than 10 minutes ahead of team-mate Joan Kigen (2:32:32).

#rp @milanomarathon
Titus Ekiru! ⚡️ 2h04’46’’ ⚡️ Nuovo record in Italia. @generaligroup #MilanoMarathon nella storia! Ph. Credits @endritmuhametaj https://t.co/t3pcGBOyQx pic.twitter.com/oMuDgvGaGQ

— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) April 7, 2019

Daegu Marathon, Korea, April 7

Kenya’s Filex Kipchirchir broke the course record with a 2:05:33 ahead of Ethiopia’s Shiferaw Tamru Aredo (2:06:21) with Uganda’s Fred Musobo third in 2:06:55.

Kenya’s Pamela Rotich won the women’s race in 2:28:10.

Vienna Marathon, Austria, April 7

Kenya’s Nancy Kiprop won her third title, breaking the long-standing course record with 2:22:12 ahead of team-mates Angela Tanui (2:25:37) and Maurine Chepkemoi (2:26:16).

In the men’s race, Kenya’s Vincent Kipchumba won in a PB 2:06:56 to defeat Switzerland’s Tadesse Abraham (2:07:24).

Rome Marathon, Italy, April 7

Tebalu Zawude won an Ethiopian-dominated race in 2:08:37 while Megertu Alemu won the women’s race in 2:22:52.

Hannover Marathon, Germany, April 7

Kenya’s Racheal Mutgaa broke the women’s course record in 2:26:15 while Silas Mwetich (2:09:37) won the men’s race.

Berlin Half-Marathon, Germany, April 7

European 5000m champion Sifan Hassan won in 65:45 as she won by more than three minutes.  The Dutch athlete went through 10km in 30:51 but drifted off world record pace in the latter stages.

Kenya’s William Wanjiku won a three-way sprint finish for the men’s race in 61:00.

Sifan wins the Generali Berlin Half Marathon in 1:05:46

Congrats @SifanHassan! pic.twitter.com/jnQn0Il9Jm

— Global Sports Comm (@GlobalSportsCom) April 7, 2019

Istanbul Marathon, Turkey, April 7

Ruth Chepngetich went 11th on the world all-time list with a 65:30 women’s victory. Fellow Kenyan Dorcas Jepchirchir was second in 66:33 with Ethiopian Helen Tola third in 66:45.

Kenya’s Benard Ngeno won the men’s race with 59:56, two seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Abayneh Degu, with Kenyan Hillary Kipchumba third in 60:01.

Australian Championships, April 7

Guesting world champion Tom Walsh of New Zealand won the shot put with world-leading 21.91m while Naa Anang took the women’s long jump with a wind-assisted 6.88m but also did a legal 6.81m to top the world rankings.

Lauren Wells won the 400m hurdles in 54.87 beating Portia Bing who clocked a New Zealand record of 55.86.

New Zealand 17-year-old Eddie Nketia won the 100m in 10.22 after a national junior record of 10.19 in the semi-final.

Chloe Tighe, a Herne Hill Harrier with a British coach (Geoff Jerwood), won the 1500m in 4:11.74.

At the Australian Track & Field Championships the Men’s Open Shot Put is underway.
Here is NZ athlete Tom Walsh throwing 21.91m
Tune in – https://t.co/vrSwjwZelb#thisisathletics pic.twitter.com/hHvu2iJm7A

— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) April 7, 2019

Charleston, USA, Apr 6

There were 10km wins for Silas Kipruto (27:58) and Monicah Ngige (31:37).

Tucson, April 6

There was a world-leading 12.87 in the 100m hurdles for Chanel Brissett of the United States.

Houston, April 6

USA’s Gwen Berry set a world-leading women’s hammer mark of 76.23m.

Tempe, April 6

There was a world lead in the women shot for American Chase Ealey who threw 19.67m.

British Masters 10km Championships, Blyth, April 7

M35 Richard Mair was the men’s winner in a fast 31:38 while World Championships marathoner Alyson Dixon was a clear women’s winner in 33:28.

World masters 1500m and 3000m champion Guy Bracken was first M55 in 34:31 while M75 1500m champion Victor Shirley was another back in action a week after winning gold in Poland as he triumphed in 45:27.

Multiple world champion Angela Copson – her range stretches from 400m to 10km – won the W70 gold in 45:05.

Other male age group winners included M40 John Butters (33:08), M45 Terry Scott (31:48), M50 Lee Bennett (33:55), Alastair Walker (35:18), M65 Stan Owen (39:14), M70 Alex Sutherland (40:56), M80 Walter Ryder (62:35) and M85 James Pittillo (64:59).

Other female age group gold medallists were W35 Elizabeth Renondeau (35:45), W45 Kathryn Stevenson (39:30), W50 Kath Davis (38:55), W55 Wendy Roethenbaugh (40:39), W60 Maggie Loraine (44:17), W65 Dorothy Kesterton (45:13).

Irish University Champs, Athlone, April 6

Phil Healy won the women’s 200m in 23.04 and the 100m in 11.51.

Parkrun, April 6

The fastest men’s time was by Andrew Heyes with 14:18 at Bakewell while the fastest woman was Naomi Taschimowitz who ran 16:44 at Hackney. The top age-graded run was by W65 Jeanette Craig who ran 22:12 at Springburn in Glasgow and achieved a 98.65% age-grading.

Former world number one Victoria Azarenka reached her first singles final in three years by defeating top seed Angelique Kerber at the Monterrey Open.

The Belarusian beat Kerber - another former world number one - 6-4 4-6 6-1.

She now faces Spain's Garbine Muguruza in Sunday's final in Mexico.

"I haven't won many of those in the last couple years so it's good that I'm able to turn it around and pick up my level," Azarenka said.

The 29-year-old last contested a singles final in April 2016, winning both Indian Wells and Miami within two weeks before announcing her pregnancy later that year and giving birth to son Leo in December.

She returned to the sport competitively the following summer but has been involved in a custody battle with the child's father which has impacted on her tennis.

"I'm getting back used to playing, and I'm trying to make better decisions, better choices under pressure," Azarenka said after her win against the German.

"It's all about taking one step at a time. To put it all together is always more tricky, so I'm glad that I'm able to put little pieces together in the important moments.

Former Wimbledon champion Muguruza earlier reached the final with a 6-2 6-3 victory over Slovakia's Magdalena Rybarikova.

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World number 253 Naiktha Bains has made a formal request to both the WTA and ITF to change her playing nationality from Australian to British.

Bains, 21, was born in Leeds but emigrated to Brisbane aged eight, and holds dual citizenship.

She has won two singles and 12 doubles titles on the ITF Tour.

Bains' situation is a reversal of that which saw Olympic silver medallist Laura Robson move to the UK aged six having been born in Melbourne.

The move to change her nationality has been made independent of the Lawn Tennis Association.

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Garbine Muguruza defended her Monterrey Open title after Victoria Azarenka was forced to retire with a leg injury.

Former world number one Azarenka, playing her first singles final in three years, required a medical timeout after losing the first set to have strapping applied to her right calf.

The Belarusian, 29, carried on but was clearly restricted before withdrawing when trailing 6-1 3-1.

"I'm very happy with this week," said Spain's Muguruza, 25.

"It's a great feeling to come back and defend a title - it's never easy."

It is two-time Grand Slam champion Muguruza's first title since winning in Mexico last year.

Azarenka last contested a singles final in April 2016, winning both Indian Wells and Miami within two weeks before announcing her pregnancy later that year and giving birth to son Leo in December.

She returned to the sport competitively the following summer but has been involved in a custody battle with her son's father which has impacted on her tennis.

• Live scores, schedule and results

Keys wins first clay title

Earlier, Madison Keys beat Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets to win the Charleston Open - her first title on clay.

The American, 24, won 7-6 (7-5) 6-3, hitting 54 winners against Danish fifth seed Wozniacki, the 2011 champion.

It marks a fourth career title for Keys and her first since 2017.

The eighth seed beat three Grand Slam champions - Wozniacki, Sloane Stephens and Jelena Ostapenko - en route to victory, as well as reigning Olympic champion Monica Puig.

Wozniacki - playing in her third Charleston final, having finished as runner-up in 2009 - said Keys was "just too good".

World number 18 Keys is the first American winner of the tournament since Stephens three years ago.

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Saurav Ghosal (File Photo)&  |  Photo Credit: PTI

Kolkata: Although he recently made history by becoming the first Indian male squash player to break into the top-10 of the PSA world rankings, Saurav Ghosal still rues the fact that the sport is not a part of the Olympic Games. "It's disappointing not only for me but every squash player around the world," Ghosal told IANS in an interview. He is on his way to Macau to take part in the Macau Open starting April 10. He is the second seed in that competition.

"It hurts to see squash not being part of the 2024 Olympics. We need to help the sport grow and Olympics is something every sportsperson looks forward to."

Ghosal said the plan is not to think of too far ahead now and keep working hard to stay where he is. The 32-year-old city-born player was the first Indian to be ranked World's No.1 junior.

"Obviously I am very happy to be in the top-10 of the PSA rankings. The journey has been really hard. I had to do well on a regular basis to attain this and this is why it is all the more fulfilling," said Ghosal, a 12-time national champion who has also won Asian Games medals on six occasions.

"I would want to continue doing well on the PSA circuit as it's important to stay consistent. There is no point in setting your sights on things which are too far ahead now. Taking it to step by step helps," he said.

Ghosal won the Kolkata International title in November last year here, to then enter the quarterfinals of the 2018-2019 PSA World Championships in Chicago for the first time in his career in February, and make the same stage at the prestigious Grasshopper Cup in Zurich last month.

Ghosal said he received a congratulatory message from brother-in-law Dinesh Karthik among others and was happy his team Kolkata Knight Riders were doing well in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

"It feels good when your family and near and dear ones support you. D.K. messaged me and I am happy for him as well as KKR is doing well."

For the record, Dipika Pallikal Karthik and Joshna Chinappa have both reached the highest ranking of world's no. 10 in 2012 and 2016, respectively.

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