Anahat Singh and Ravindu Laksiri lead the way at the HCL Squash Tour in Kolkata
Kolkata: HCL Group, in collaboration with the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), successfully concluded the third leg of the HCL Squash Tour- PSA level tournament and the second zonal tournament- Eastern Slam in Kolkata. Held at the historic Calcutta Racket Club, which has been cultivating squash talent for more than 200 years, these tournaments ran from August 26th to 31st, 2024, and showcased the remarkable talent and competitive spirit of the players.
The HCL Squash Tour, a key tournament of HCL’s Squash Podium Program, aims to elevate the squash ecosystem in India by offering local players a chance to compete against top international talent and improve their world rankings on home soil. The Eastern Slam, one of four zonal tournaments focused on junior talent development, offered a platform for young players to gain exposure to high-level competition and improve their Asian rankings.
The tournament drew to a close with the presence of esteemed squash player Saurav Ghoshal, who attended as the chief guest. Ghoshal, a product of Kolkata’s rich squash culture, shared his thoughts on the occasion, “It’s always a privilege to host PSA-level tournaments in India. These events not only elevate the standard of competition on the PSA World Circuit but also serve as a vital platform for discovering and nurturing talented players from across the country.”
Top talents including Anahat Singh (IND, 112 Rank), Ravindu Laksiri (SRI, 134 Rank), Rathika Seelan (IND, 159 Rank), Suraj Kumar Chand (IND, 168 Rank), Rahul Baitha (IND, 205 Rank), and Jemyca Aribado (PHI, 181 Rank) competed in the PSA Men’s and Women’s categories for a prize of $3,000 saw participation from 48 players from seven countries including Egypt, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Bahrain, Philippines, Iran and India. Ravindu Laksiri from Sri Lanka won the championship in the men’s category and Anahat Singh from India won in the women’s category.
In addition to the PSA tournament, the Eastern Slam witnessed fierce competition among around 250 junior players across U-11, U-13, U-15, U-17, and U-19 categories, with participants from countries such as the USA, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom.
Rajat Chandolia, AVP and Head of Brand at HCL said, “The level of talent and dedication we have witnessed at these tournaments reaffirms our belief that India is on the cusp of making a significant mark in the global squash arena. By providing platforms like the HCL Squash Tour and Eastern Slam, we are committed to nurturing this potential and helping our players reach new heights in the sport. As part of our core philosophy- Human Potential. Multiplied, HCL will keep multiplying the opportunities for the squash players in India.”
The winners under eleven categories are:
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