Squash: Pakistani Legend Jahangir Khan Applauds the Remarkable Progress of Indian Players
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Mumbai, Dec 26 (NationPress) "I have been observing Indian players in the circuit and they are advancing significantly. I have recently seen their players performing in the World Team Championship and they are good enough to progress and win titles on the international stage." That's the assessment of squash legend Jahangir Khan from Pakistan, who has commended the Indian squash players for their recent achievements and the promise they exhibit.
Jahangir, who dominated the squash world for two decades during the 80s and 90s, served as President of the World Squash Federation (WSF) from 2002 to 2008 and continues to travel globally to follow the game.
He is a ten-time British Open Champion from 1982 to 1991—an unparalleled achievement in the world of squash—along with securing six World Open titles from 1981 to 1985 and again in 1988, which earned him the title of 'conqueror of the game', reminiscent of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir.
Jahangir noted that Indian players performed better than their Pakistani counterparts in the 2024 Men's World Team Squash Championships, held in Hong Kong earlier this month. Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthilkumar, Veer Chotrani, and Suraj Chand represented India in the 28th edition of the World Men's Team Championship. India finished 5th, while Pakistan experienced their worst performance, landing in 13th place. India defeated Malaysia in the second round but lost to France in the quarter-finals.
Jahangir expressed that Indian squash players showed remarkable growth between 2008 and 2016, coinciding with Narayana Ramachandran's presidency at WSF, which significantly benefitted squash in India. Saurav Ghosal won 10 PSA (Players Squash Association) titles over 21 years on the Tour, with his last appearance at the 2024 Windy City Open. The 37-year-old Ghosal, who also earned multiple medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, announced his retirement in April this year.
"Ghosal was a remarkable player and secured numerous titles. Role models are essential in sports, as they inspire young talent. India now has a role model in Ghosal, and the existing infrastructure will aid their growth in the sport," Jahangir shared in an exclusive interview with Telecom Asia Sport.
Jahangir is also impressed by the squash facilities in India. "I visited India before the Covid pandemic and found the Chennai Academy to be an exceptional facility. The coaching provided there is excellent, and these academies serve as a critical pathway for emerging players," he stated.
Mahesh Mangaonkar, Joshna Chinappa, Dipika Pallikal, and Harshit Kaur Jawanda have also made substantial progress in the squash arena. In the recently concluded World Team Squash Championships in Hong Kong, the Indian men's team achieved a historic fifth position, their best performance to date, while the women’s team secured a commendable seventh.
Players such as Anahat Singh, Shaurya Bawa, Abhay Singh, and Veer Chotrani are currently upholding India’s prominent standing in the circuit. Young talents like Harshit Kaur Jawanda, Shiven Agarwal, Aadya Budhia, and Gowshika M represent the future of the sport.
Jahangir believes that squash will receive a significant boost with its inclusion in the Olympics. The sport is set to debut in the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. "We have been striving hard to get squash included in the Olympics," Jahangir, who now holds the title of Emeritus President of the WSF, a special status designated for the legend, remarked.
These statements carry substantial weight for Indian squash, coming from one of the sport's most influential figures. This recognition undoubtedly serves as a significant morale booster for Indian squash players aspiring to win medals in the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
