Piyush Goyal Hails Anahat Singh's Historic World Junior Squash Title
Synopsis
Anahat Singh has become the first Indian squash player to win the World Junior Squash Championships, a historic milestone hailed by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on 26 July 2026. The achievement marks a new chapter for Indian squash and for youth sports development in the country.
Key Takeaways
Anahat Singh won the World Junior Squash Championships , becoming the first Indian squash player to claim the title.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal publicly congratulated her on 26 July 2026 , calling the performance 'brilliant' and 'historic'.
The victory is a breakthrough for Indian squash, a sport that has historically lagged behind cricket and badminton in national attention and funding.
The Khelo India programme , launched in 2017 , has been a key government vehicle for developing grassroots talent across non-cricket disciplines including squash.
The milestone is expected to boost interest, sponsorship, and institutional investment in squash at the junior level across India.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday, 26 July 2026 congratulated Anahat Singh for winning the World Junior Squash Championships, calling her achievement historic and describing her as the first squash player from India to claim the title.
Context
Posting on X, Minister Goyal wrote: 'Proud of you, Anahat Singh! Brilliant performance to script history by winning the World Junior Squash Championships title. As the first squash player from India to win this tournament, you have set a benchmark for other athletes to follow.'
The congratulatory post underscores the significance of the feat — a first-ever junior world squash title for an Indian player, in a sport that has historically remained in the shadow of cricket and badminton on the subcontinent.
Policy Backdrop
India's gradual rise in non-cricket sports has been supported by the Khelo India programme, launched in 2017, which targets grassroots talent development across disciplines including squash. The scheme has channelled resources into infrastructure, coaching, and international exposure for young athletes.
Senior government figures publicly recognising individual sporting milestones has become a consistent feature of India's sports communication strategy, reinforcing state backing for athletes who break new ground at the global level.
Stakeholders and Impact
Anahat Singh's victory carries significance beyond personal achievement. It places India on the map of junior world squash — a circuit long dominated by players from Egypt, Pakistan, and England — and is likely to inspire a new generation of young players to take up the sport.
Squash federations, coaches, and junior academies across the country stand to benefit from the heightened visibility that a world title brings. Sponsors and sports bodies may increase investment in the discipline on the back of this breakthrough.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to Anahat Singh's transition to senior-level competition, where the field is considerably more competitive. India's performance at the next World Junior Squash Championships and Asian Squash Championships will be closely watched to assess whether this victory marks the beginning of a sustained run of results.
For Indian squash as a whole, the milestone presents an opportunity to build institutional momentum — more funding, better facilities, and greater media coverage — that could accelerate the sport's growth well beyond this single historic result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Anahat Singh and what did she win?
Anahat Singh is an Indian squash player who won the World Junior Squash Championships , becoming the first player from India to claim the title in the tournament's history.
What did Piyush Goyal say about Anahat Singh?
Union Minister Piyush Goyal called her performance 'brilliant' and said she had 'scripted history,' adding that she had 'set a benchmark for other athletes to follow.'
Is this the first time India has won the World Junior Squash Championships?
Yes. Anahat Singh is the first squash player from India to win the World Junior Squash Championships, making it a historic first for the country.
What is the Khelo India programme and how does it support squash?
The Khelo India programme , launched in 2017 , is a government initiative to develop sports talent at the grassroots level across disciplines including squash, providing infrastructure, coaching, and international exposure to young athletes.
What comes next for Anahat Singh after this world junior title?
The focus will shift to Anahat Singh's transition into senior-level squash competition, as well as India's performance at upcoming international junior and Asian squash events.
