India to Host First Ever Professional Squash Circuit

India is set to host its first professional squash circuit next month, including four Women’s Squash Association World Tour events, it has been revealed today.

The JSW Indian Squash Challenger Circuit, sanctioned by the PSA (Professional Squash Association) and WSA and scheduled for October 2014 across Jaipur, Mumbai and Chennai, marks a significant milestone for the sport in Asia.

“We at JSW have always believed that there is a huge talent pool for the sport in the country and have, through the last many years, made a strong commitment to the sport, having nurtured talent at the Jindal Squash Academy – which now has, to its credit, seven international players, 22 national players and 46 state level players,” said Mustafa Ghouse, CEO of JSW Sport, the tournament’s primary sponsor.

“A challenger series such as this will provide young talent in the sport the appropriate boost and instil in them the confidence needed to perform on an international stage,” he continued.

Tommy Berden, Acting CEO of the WSA, added: “We are delighted to welcome the JSW Indian Squash Circuit to our Women’s World Tour calendar. With the recent success of Indians Joshana Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal, two of the top players on the Women’s Tour, this initiative will go a long way in developing our sport in India and Asia.”

Current Indian squash players are excited by this newest competitive opportunity in their country. Dipika Pallikal, India’s No1 women’s squash player and winner of the country’s first squash gold medal in the Commonwealth Games Women’s Doubles last month, with Joshana Chinappa, said: “The Challenger Series is a great platform for youngsters to hone their game by playing with some of the top players from across the world, and I strongly believe that that the sport will benefit from it.

“I also hope that we are provided with more such opportunities to host international events of such calibre which can only benefit the popularity and exposure required for the growth of the sport.”