Rijiju Hails Anahat Singh's World Junior Squash Title
Synopsis
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju hailed Anahat Singh's historic victory at the World Junior Squash Championship, calling her the first Indian ever to claim the title and describing it as a defining moment for Indian squash and a proud achievement for the nation.
Key Takeaways
Anahat Singh has become the first Indian ever to win the World Junior Squash Championship .
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju publicly congratulated Singh on 27 July 2026 , calling it 'a glorious day for Indian squash.' The World Junior Squash Championship is the premier under-19 event run by the World Squash Federation .
India's Khelo India initiative, launched in 2017 , has supported grassroots talent development across racket sports including squash.
The title is expected to boost interest in squash among young athletes and strengthen the case for expanded government and private investment in the sport.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday, 27 July 2026, congratulated Indian squash player Anahat Singh after she became the first Indian ever to win the World Junior Squash Championship, calling the feat a defining moment for Indian squash and a proud achievement for the entire nation.
Context
Rijiju took to X to post his congratulations, writing that it was 'a glorious day for Indian squash' and urging Singh to 'continue to inspire young athletes' with her 'extraordinary journey.' The minister's message underlines the political and institutional weight the government attaches to individual sporting breakthroughs at the international level.
Anahat Singh has been one of India's most closely watched junior squash talents, having built a record of strong performances on the international junior circuit before this landmark title. Her victory at the World Junior Squash Championship — the premier under-19 event organised by the World Squash Federation — marks the first time any Indian player has claimed the title.
Policy Backdrop
India's push in racket sports is embedded in a broader strategic shift in sports governance. The Khelo India initiative, launched in 2017, was designed to identify and nurture grassroots talent across disciplines well beyond cricket, with squash among the beneficiary sports. Funding for academy infrastructure, coaching, and international exposure has grown steadily under this framework.
Government messaging has consistently sought to link individual athlete success to national ambitions in Olympic and multi-sport events. A World Junior title in squash fits squarely into that narrative, particularly as India looks to build a pipeline of senior-level world-class players.
Stakeholders and Impact
The immediate beneficiaries of Singh's triumph are the thousands of young squash players across India for whom a world junior title by a compatriot provides a concrete, aspirational benchmark. Squash clubs and state associations are likely to see renewed interest in the sport following the win.
For the Sports Ministry and bodies such as the Squash Rackets Federation of India, the result strengthens the case for sustained and possibly expanded investment in elite junior coaching programmes. Private sponsors, too, are expected to take note of a sport that has now produced a world junior champion.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to Anahat Singh's trajectory on the senior World Squash Tour, where the transition from junior dominance to senior competitiveness will define the long-term significance of this title. Any announcements from the Sports Ministry on targeted funding for squash academies or enhanced support for Singh's senior campaign will be closely watched.
India's broader ambition to field medal contenders in racket sports at multi-sport events means this moment is likely to be cited as a milestone in future policy discussions. The question now is whether institutional support will match the momentum generated by this historic win.
Point of View
Reinforcing the government's Khelo India brand. The framing of Anahat Singh's win as a 'defining moment' signals that the Sports Ministry is likely to use this milestone to justify continued or increased outlay on racket sports infrastructure. At the same time, the spotlight on a young woman athlete from outside cricket reflects a deliberate effort to diversify India's sporting identity ahead of upcoming multi-sport events. Whether that political momentum translates into sustained, structural support for squash — rather than a one-cycle media cycle — remains the real test.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Anahat Singh and what did she win?
Anahat Singh is an Indian squash player who became the first Indian ever to win the World Junior Squash Championship, the premier under-19 squash title awarded by the World Squash Federation.
What did Kiren Rijiju say about Anahat Singh's win?
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju called it 'a glorious day for Indian squash' and described the victory as a defining moment for the sport and a proud achievement for the entire nation.
What is the World Junior Squash Championship?
The World Junior Squash Championship is an annual under-19 tournament organised by the World Squash Federation that brings together the top junior squash talent from around the world.
How does the Khelo India scheme relate to Anahat Singh's achievement?
The Khelo India initiative, launched in 2017, funds grassroots talent identification and training across multiple sports including squash, forming part of the policy environment that supports players like Anahat Singh.
What happens next for Anahat Singh after this title?
The focus will shift to her performance on the senior World Squash Tour, and observers will watch for any Sports Ministry announcements on targeted funding for squash academies following this historic win.
