Chennai, March 31 (NationPress) The Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), is set to conduct a World Squash Officiating (WSO) Refereeing Course from March 31 to April 4, 2026, at the prestigious Indian Squash Academy in Chennai.

About 25 of India's leading referees will participate in this workshop. This group includes officials who are currently officiating at national championships and PSA tournaments across India, as well as promising referees recognized by SRFI for their potential progression within the World Squash Officiating framework.

Selection of participants was based on specific eligibility criteria, which included active involvement in SRFI national ranking events, successful completion of WSO Levels 1–3 certifications, and demonstrated capability to officiate at PSA and World Squash Federation-sanctioned competitions.

Leading the course will be Roy Gingell from Wales. An internationally acclaimed referee and educator associated with the World Squash Officiating initiative, Gingell holds the prestigious WSO Level 5 Referee certification—the highest available worldwide. He is one of only two referees globally to possess this level of accreditation and has officiated at significant international tournaments, contributing greatly to referee training and assessment programs conducted by the World Squash Federation (WSF) and the Professional Squash Association (PSA).

The Indian Squash Academy, recognized as one of the premier squash facilities in the nation, will serve as the venue for the workshop. It boasts an all-glass show court and multiple singles and doubles courts, providing an ideal setting for both theoretical learning and practical match experience.

India is witnessing an increase in national ranking tournaments, PSA events, and international competitions. As the standard of play elevates, so does the need for qualified referees. The WSO pathway offers a well-recognized framework for referee education, focusing on rules interpretation, match control, decision-making, and player management.

This initiative aims to bolster the development of referees in India by aligning local officiating standards with global best practices. Additionally, the workshop coincides with the selection matches for the Asian Junior Individual Championships, offering participants the chance to officiate live matches under expert guidance and receive practical feedback.

This marks the second occasion SRFI is organizing a WSO refereeing course, following last year’s program conducted by Marko Podgoršek.