New Delhi, With an eye firmly on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, young squash players Anahat Singh, Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar were on Tuesday included in the TOPS Development Group.
Squash, which was included in the 2028 Olympic program in October, is popular in India, with exponents doing well at the Asian and Commonwealth Games.
Over the years, Saurav Ghoshal, Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa have kept the flame burning and are now passing the baton to the next generation of players like Anahat, Abhay and Velavan.
“The inclusion of Squash in the TOPS program is a significant moment for the sport in India. Beyond the immediate benefits such as increased participation and enhanced training opportunities, this recognition symbolizes the widespread support of Squash as an important sporting discipline within the country Cyrus Poncha, general secretary of the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), said in a SAI release."The inclusion of squash in TOPS opens the door to international exposure and collaboration, promoting exchange programs and partnerships with leading squash countries. This is sure to raise the overall standard of squash in India."
16-year-old Anahata is already a national champion, having won more than 46 titles in the national circuit so far. On the international front, she has started to make waves as the reigning Asian Under-17 champion and winner of two PSA World Tour titles. He also has two Asian Games medals.“I feel really honored that SAI and SRFI considered including me in TOPS and believe that it will be a great support for me in improving my game and getting ready for international competition. I am sure when other Indian squash players talk about this, they should be encouraged to take up squash professionally because if they perform well and represent India then they will know that the government Supporting them."
Among men, Abhay and Velavan were included in TOPS.
At 25, Abhay is the current National Games gold medalist and National Championships silver medalist.He has won nine PSA World Tour titles and was part of the Indian men's team that won Asian Games gold in Hangzhou in 2023.
“I've been working hard to climb the PSA rankings and have been funding all my expenses for traveling abroad and training under some of the best coaches. I'm glad that TOPS will be taking care of me now, and I really hope That we keep delivering results in the World Tour especially the 2026 Asian Games and then the Olympics, Abhay said.
Squash, which was included in the 2028 Olympic program in October, is popular in India, with exponents doing well at the Asian and Commonwealth Games.
Over the years, Saurav Ghoshal, Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa have kept the flame burning and are now passing the baton to the next generation of players like Anahat, Abhay and Velavan.
“The inclusion of Squash in the TOPS program is a significant moment for the sport in India. Beyond the immediate benefits such as increased participation and enhanced training opportunities, this recognition symbolizes the widespread support of Squash as an important sporting discipline within the country Cyrus Poncha, general secretary of the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), said in a SAI release."The inclusion of squash in TOPS opens the door to international exposure and collaboration, promoting exchange programs and partnerships with leading squash countries. This is sure to raise the overall standard of squash in India."
16-year-old Anahata is already a national champion, having won more than 46 titles in the national circuit so far. On the international front, she has started to make waves as the reigning Asian Under-17 champion and winner of two PSA World Tour titles. He also has two Asian Games medals.“I feel really honored that SAI and SRFI considered including me in TOPS and believe that it will be a great support for me in improving my game and getting ready for international competition. I am sure when other Indian squash players talk about this, they should be encouraged to take up squash professionally because if they perform well and represent India then they will know that the government Supporting them."
Among men, Abhay and Velavan were included in TOPS.
At 25, Abhay is the current National Games gold medalist and National Championships silver medalist.He has won nine PSA World Tour titles and was part of the Indian men's team that won Asian Games gold in Hangzhou in 2023.
“I've been working hard to climb the PSA rankings and have been funding all my expenses for traveling abroad and training under some of the best coaches. I'm glad that TOPS will be taking care of me now, and I really hope That we keep delivering results in the World Tour especially the 2026 Asian Games and then the Olympics, Abhay said.
