From Hockey Legacy to Squash Dreams: Shameena Riaz Chases Asian Games Glory for India
For most athletes, representing India at the Asian Games is a career-defining achievement. For Shameena Riaz, it is also the continuation of a proud family sporting tradition.
The 20-year-old squash player has earned a place in India’s women’s squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya after successfully coming through the national selection trials in Chennai. While her surname is well known because of her father, former India hockey captain Mohammed Riaz, Shameena is determined to make her own mark on the international stage through squash.
A Special Family Moment
Shameena revealed that qualifying for the Asian Games brought an emotional reaction from her father, who embraced her in a way she had never experienced before.
Mohammed Riaz represented India in two Olympic Games and won a silver medal at the 1994 Asian Games before helping India claim gold in 1998. More than three decades later, his daughter will wear the Indian colours at the same continental event—this time with a squash racquet instead of a hockey stick.
India’s Women’s Squash Squad
Shameena secured the final place in India’s four-member women’s team, joining:
Anahat Singh
Joshna Chinappa
Tanvi Khanna
The experienced trio will provide valuable guidance as the Chennai youngster prepares for the biggest tournament of her career so far.
Inspired by a Sporting Family
Although her father made his name in hockey, Shameena’s sporting journey began almost by accident.
A visit to the Madras Cricket Club introduced her to squash, and she soon joined the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai. Since then, the academy has become her second home, where she has trained under renowned coach Cyrus Poncha while steadily progressing through the junior and senior ranks.
Climbing the Professional Ladder
Shameena has gradually transitioned into senior international competition after spending years in junior events.
She currently competes regularly on the PSA Challenger circuit and is working towards breaking into the world’s top 100 rankings. Her recent performances have shown encouraging progress, including victories over higher-ranked international opponents.
Learning Beyond the Court
The youngster credits her father for helping her understand the mental side of elite sport.
From handling pressure to maintaining discipline and preparing for major tournaments, Mohammed Riaz continues to mentor her using lessons from his own international hockey career. Their conversations often revolve around competition, preparation and the mindset required to succeed at the highest level.
Balancing Engineering and International Sport
Away from squash, Shameena is pursuing a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering at SRM Institute.
Managing academics alongside an increasingly demanding international squash schedule has been challenging, but she remains committed to both goals with the support of her family and college.
Eyes on an Asian Games Medal
For Shameena, qualifying for the Asian Games is only the beginning.
Her immediate objectives include performing strongly in Japan, winning medals on the PSA Challenger circuit and improving her world ranking. Above all, she hopes to return home with an Asian Games medal—adding another memorable chapter to her family’s rich sporting history while creating a legacy entirely her own.
Key Facts
Player: Shameena Riaz
Age: 20
Sport: Squash
Hometown: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Father: Former India hockey captain Mohammed Riaz
Asian Games: Set to make her debut for India
Education: Electronics and Communication Engineering student at SRM Institute
Current Goal: Win an Asian Games medal and enter the PSA World Top 100.
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