HCL Squash PSA Challenger Indian Tour lights up Ahmedabad
Egyptian players Farida Walid and Seif Refaay lift titles at HCL Squash PSA Challenger Indian Tour in Ahmedabad
48 players from 9 countries competed for PSA world-ranking points.
The Ahmedabad leg of the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour concluded today at the Belvedere Golf and Country Club after five days of top-tier international competition. Held from 27–31 January, the tournament brought together 48 elite squash players from nine countries, delivering fast-paced, high-intensity squash as athletes battled for crucial PSA world-ranking points. The event marked Ahmedabad’s debut on the HCL Squash Indian Tour circuit, following successful legs in Chennai, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, and reinforced the city’s growing stature as a destination for professional sport. Over the past few years, Ahmedabad has steadily invested in sports infrastructure, hosting national and international events across disciplines, and this tournament added another important milestone to that journey. Players from Egypt, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Malta, Iran, and India showcased exceptional athleticism, tactical depth, and competitive spirit across both men’s and women’s draws, reflecting the truly global nature of modern professional squash under the Professional Squash Association.
In the women’s final, Farida Walid (Egypt) defeated Tanvi Khanna (India), with a score of 9-11, 13-15, 11-8, 12-10, 11-5. The match highlighted the mental and physical demands of squash, where momentum can shift quickly, and stamina often decides the outcome. Walid’s ability to recover after losing the first two games showed her experience on the international circuit. Egyptian players are widely known for their strong junior development systems and aggressive playing style, which has helped the country dominate world squash for over a decade. For Tanvi Khanna, reaching the final on home soil was a significant achievement, underlining the steady rise of Indian women in the sport and the value of competing regularly against top international opponents.
In the men’s final, Seif Refaay (Egypt) defeated Hazem Hossam (Egypt) with a score of 11-4, 11-7, 11-4. The all-Egyptian final reflected Egypt’s depth in men’s squash, where players are trained from a young age to handle pressure and play attacking squash. Refaay’s straight-games victory showed his sharp movement and precise shot selection. His recent success as the British Open Under-19 champion further confirms his status as one of the brightest young talents in world squash. Performances like these often act as stepping stones, helping young players climb the rankings and gain entry into higher-level PSA events.
Rajat Chandolia, AVP and Head of Brand and Strategy at HCL Group, said the Ahmedabad leg had been a strong addition to the HCL Squash Indian Tour. His comments reflect HCL’s long-term vision of building a structured pathway for Indian squash players. Corporate support has played a key role in Indian sport, especially in disciplines that receive limited mainstream attention. By taking tournaments to new cities, the Tour not only gives players more chances to earn ranking points but also helps grow local interest and grassroots participation.
Bhanu Pratap Singh, General Secretary of the All Gujarat Rackets Association, noted that hosting a PSA event shows the steady growth of India’s domestic squash ecosystem. Support from the Sports Authority of India and the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has helped create better training environments and competition opportunities. Regular exposure to international players is crucial for Indian athletes, as it helps them understand different playing styles and improve their match temperament.
Indian players continued to make a strong impression on home soil, using the tournament as a vital platform to test themselves against international opposition. Such events reduce the need for frequent overseas travel, which can be costly and challenging for young players. With squash set to make its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, tournaments like the Ahmedabad leg carry added importance. Olympic inclusion has already increased global interest in squash, with many countries strengthening their development programmes to prepare athletes for qualification and selection.
The PSA-registered tournament offered equal prize purses of USD 6,000 in the men’s and women’s categories, underscoring HCL’s continued commitment to gender parity and professional excellence in sport. Equal prize money sends a strong message about fairness and respect, encouraging more young girls to take up the sport seriously and view it as a viable professional career.
Since 2016, the partnership between HCL and Squash Rackets Federation of India has delivered over 40 professional tournaments, benefited more than 1,000 Indian players, and strengthened India’s presence on the global squash circuit. Consistent competition at home has helped Indian players improve their rankings and confidence. The conclusion of the Ahmedabad leg further cements the HCL Squash Indian Tour as a cornerstone of India’s squash development programme, as the nation steadily builds towards its Olympic ambitions with renewed focus and belief.