Former super model and squash enthusiast Pia Bhattacharya, who mentors budding players and is working towards creating squash as a popular Indian sport, is organizing an international women's squash tournament hosted by the Indian Squash Curcuit (ISC). She sent a text message to Ranveer, requesting him to be part of the final match. `We went to school together. I've known him for 14 years. I figured I'd have to go through a certain number to people to get to him but Bollywood hasn't managed to change Ranveer,` Pia gushed to Mirror, adding that World Rank 10, Joshna Chinappa, and World Rank 19, Dipika Pallikal, were ecstatic to hear the news too.
Ranveer immediately agreed to lend his support by being present for this final match. Touched by his gesture, Pia Bhattacharya said, `Our squash players really need the publicity and Bollywood has a great influence on Indians. When a superstar endorses a sport, it changes the entire game. Ranveer is always helping friends, family, and is the kind of man who'd walk out of his car to help someone on the street,` Pia beams. At US $35,000, the ISC tournament boasts of the highest prize money ever for the W35 women's category. Apart from the ceremony, Ranveer will also play a friendly match with the young women.`
Ranveer believes that Indian women in sport need to be given encouragement and support. He said, `In a year when Indian female athletes have done the country proud at both the Olympics as well as the Para Olympics, I believe women squash players have it in them to be at the top.`
With some of the world's best players leading the way, I'm sure there is a significant and untapped opportunity to generate interest and engagement of potential women players with this sport through such tournaments.`
Having stepped out for a member of his staff Darshan and with this gesture for a childhood friend, Ranveer's inherent generosity and kindness is there for all to see.
