A legendary sporting heritage takes on a new form on the squash court

Father’s pride: Mohammed Riaz with daughter Shameena (left); Riaz in action during his playing days for the national team Chennai: Every dinner in the Riaz household was associated with a story. Two-time Olympian Mohammed Riaz would recount the setbacks, sacrifices and triumphs that defined his career as an Indian hockey player and hoped his daughter would understand the dedication it takes to represent the country.The messages resonated. Years later, those lessons became the cornerstone of Shameeny’s journey and the young squash player earned a place in the Indian Asian Games team, adding a new chapter to the family’s sporting legacy.At the Asian Games, the 20-year-old will compete in the team competition and mixed doubles alongside Suraj Chand. Shameena, ranked 157th in the world, caused a major stir at the PSA Challenger in Mumbai in June when she defeated Hayley Ward of South Africa, who was ranked almost 100 places higher, to reach the quarter-finals. She was also part of the Indian team that won the silver medal at the FISU World Squash Championships in Mumbai last month.“The beginning was difficult because I didn’t win a competition until the U-15 level and I was often demotivated. After the losses I sat and cried. But after I talked to my coaches and my father, I started to take positives even from my losses. It was during my U-15 and U-17 days that I realized that I had to be more mature and become more professional. I was always there with him when I didn’t need him talk to him (my father) or lose,” Shameena told TOI.As her results improved, so did her identity. “Earlier, wherever I went with my father, it was always, ‘She is Mohammed Riaz’s daughter.’ But after winning competitions and being selected for the Asiad, people say, ‘Shameena is an Indian squash player’ and they know who I am. Times have changed,” she said.The more Shameena learned about her father’s career, the more she realized how different their paths were. “He once showed me his training plan for the Asian Games and the Olympics. He used to climb hills with 20-40 kg on his back, while my workout today involves 50-60 squats. I feel privileged because I can fly, stay in good hotels and have good food, and it was not the same for my father who had to overcome problems.”For Shameen, the goal is clear: to continue the values ​​she inherited from her father, while ensuring that the name on the court is unmistakably hers.