Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday, 26 July 2026, congratulated Indian squash player Anahat Singh for becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship title, calling the feat a proud moment for the nation.

Context

Anahat Singh scripted history by clinching the World Junior Squash Championship title, an under-19 competition organised by the World Squash Federation, making her the first Indian to achieve the distinction. CM Majhi took to X to extend his 'heartiest congratulations,' describing the win as 'a proud moment for the nation and an inspiration for countless young sportspersons.'

The World Junior Squash Championship is one of the most competitive junior events on the global squash calendar, drawing elite under-19 talent from across the world. An Indian winning the title for the first time marks a significant milestone in the country's squash history.

Policy Backdrop

India's rise in junior squash has been supported in part by the Khelo India programme, launched in 2017, which expanded grassroots funding and infrastructure for both Olympic and non-Olympic sports, including squash. The scheme has helped identify and nurture talent from smaller cities and states, broadening the sport's base beyond its traditional metropolitan strongholds.

Squash has steadily grown in visibility in India over the past decade, with Indian players making consistent inroads at the junior and senior levels on the international circuit. A World Junior Championship title represents the highest individual honour at the under-19 level and signals the maturation of India's squash pipeline.

Stakeholders and Impact

For junior athletes and aspiring squash players across India, Anahat Singh's achievement carries considerable symbolic weight — demonstrating that Indian players can compete for and win the sport's top junior honours. Coaches, academies, and state sports bodies are likely to point to this result as evidence that sustained investment in the sport yields results at the highest level.

Indian state leaders have increasingly used social media to publicly celebrate individual successes in sports beyond cricket, a pattern that both builds national pride and signals political support for emerging disciplines. CM Majhi's post fits squarely within this broader trend of political messaging around youth achievement.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to whether Anahat Singh's landmark victory translates into greater institutional support for squash — including state-level announcements on academy funding, coaching infrastructure, or scholarship programmes. Odisha, which has positioned itself as a sports-friendly state through its hosting of major international events, may be among the states to watch for follow-up policy action.

India's performance at the next edition of the World Junior Squash Championship will also be closely monitored to see whether this title marks the beginning of a sustained run of success at the junior level. If the momentum is matched by investment, Indian squash could be on the cusp of a new era on the global stage.