BJP MP Anurag Thakur, former Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, on Sunday, 26 July 2026, congratulated Anahat Singh on becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championships title — a landmark achievement that ended Egypt's 16-year dominance over the tournament.

Context

Anahat Singh clinched the historic title by defeating three Egyptian opponents back to back, a run that dismantled a stranglehold Egypt had maintained on the junior crown for 16 consecutive years. Thakur described the win as 'child's play' in execution, calling Singh 'a brilliant prodigy' who has 'not only redefined Indian squash but also established herself as one of the brightest young stars in world squash.'

The victory marks India's first-ever World Junior Squash Championships title, a milestone that places Singh in a singular position in the country's sporting history. Thakur's post on X underscored the national significance of the result, extending congratulations twice in the same message.

Policy Backdrop

India's improved performance in individual sports outside cricket has been underpinned by sustained investment in grassroots infrastructure, including the Khelo India scheme, launched in 2017, which aims to identify and nurture young talent across disciplines including racket sports. Squash, long overshadowed by more popular sports, has benefited from increased institutional attention and international exposure for junior players.

Thakur, who served as Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports before his cabinet reconstitution, was closely associated with the expansion of the Khelo India programme during his tenure. His congratulatory post carries added weight given his direct policy role in shaping India's sports ecosystem in recent years.

Stakeholders and Impact

Egypt had been the dominant force in World Junior Squash for over 16 years, making Singh's back-to-back victories over Egyptian competitors a symbolically significant shift in the global junior squash order. The result is expected to raise the profile of squash among young Indian athletes and encourage greater participation at the grassroots level.

For Indian squash as a sport, the title arrives as a validation of the competitive pipeline being built through national academies and international tournament exposure. Young squash aspirants across the country now have a concrete, historic benchmark to aspire to.

What's Next

Anahat Singh's progression to senior-level events will be closely watched by coaches, selectors, and sports administrators. Her performance at future editions of the World Junior Squash Championships and entry into the senior World Squash circuit will determine whether this breakthrough translates into sustained excellence at the highest level.

India's sports establishment will also look to replicate the support structures that produced this result across other racket and individual sports disciplines, as the country builds toward major multi-sport events in the coming years.