Will PM Modi's Praise Ignite a New Era for Squash in India?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Dec 15 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Indian squash team for their remarkable achievement in clinching the inaugural Squash World Cup. He expressed that this monumental victory will significantly enhance the sport's appeal among the younger generation.
India was crowned the Squash World Cup champions after an impressive performance against the top-ranked team from Hong Kong at the Express Avenue Mall in Chennai on Sunday.
“Kudos to the Indian Squash Team for making history by winning their first-ever World Cup title at the SDAT Squash World Cup 2025!” PM Modi tweeted on X.
He continued, “Joshna Chinnappa, Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthil Kumar, and Anahat Singh have shown incredible commitment and tenacity. Their triumph has made our nation proud and will inspire more youth to embrace squash.”
India entered the final match determined to overcome the disappointment of their previous semi-final exit in 2023, which took place on the same court.
In the opening match, the 39-year-old local favorite, Joshna Chinappa, faced Hong Kong's Ka Yi Lee, securing a hard-fought victory with scores of 7-3, 2-7, 7-5, 7-1.
Next, India’s top male player, Abhay Singh, showcased his dominance against Alex Lau, extending India's lead with a swift 7-1, 7-4, 7-4 win in just 19 minutes.
The pressure mounted on the top seeds, as the women's first-string player Tomato Ho needed a considerable win over 17-year-old Anahat Singh.
To the delight of the audience, Anahat delivered an outstanding performance, overpowering Ho with a score of 7-2, 7-2, 7-5.
This victory marked India as the sixth nation in history to win a major World Squash team championship.