Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday, 26 July 2026, congratulated Indian squash prodigy Anahat Singh after she became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship, describing the achievement as a moment of pride for the entire nation.

Posting on X, Shekhawat wrote: 'भारत की मेधावी बेटी अनाहत सिंह ने विश्व जूनियर स्क्वैश चैंपियनशिप जीतकर इतिहास रच दिया है' ('India's talented daughter Anahat Singh has created history by winning the World Junior Squash Championship'). He noted she is the first Indian to claim this prestigious title and extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to her.

Context

The World Junior Squash Championship, organised annually by the World Squash Federation, is the premier international title for players under the age of 19. Winning it places a player among the most accomplished junior squash athletes in the world. Anahat Singh's victory marks a landmark moment in Indian squash, a sport that has historically seen the country compete at the fringes of global junior circuits.

India has made incremental gains in racket sports over the past decade, and Anahat's title represents the most significant breakthrough at the junior world level in squash to date. Senior government figures have been quick to amplify the achievement, reflecting the broader national emphasis on celebrating individual sporting excellence.

Policy Backdrop

India's investment in grassroots sports infrastructure has grown steadily since the launch of the Khelo India programme in 2017, which was designed to identify and nurture talent across disciplines, including racket sports such as squash. The programme has supported training pipelines that feed into national and international junior competitions.

Government messaging around junior world titles has consistently framed such victories within the larger narrative of sports promotion and national pride, reinforcing political and institutional support for athlete development at the grassroots level.

Stakeholders and Impact

Anahat Singh, who has been a prominent name on the junior squash circuit, now carries the distinction of being India's first World Junior Squash Champion. Her win is expected to draw greater attention and institutional support toward squash academies and training centres across the country.

Young athletes and the broader squash community stand to benefit from the heightened visibility this title brings. Sponsors, state sports bodies, and federations are likely to reassess investment in junior squash infrastructure in the wake of this result.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to Anahat Singh's transition into senior international competition and whether the government will announce fresh support for squash development — including academy funding or inclusion in elite athlete programmes — ahead of the next Asian Junior or World Junior cycles.

Her historic win also sets a new benchmark for Indian junior squash and is likely to inspire a new generation of players to pursue the sport at the competitive level, potentially reshaping the country's presence in global squash rankings over the coming years.