Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated the Indian squash team for winning the country’s first-ever Squash World Cup, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation and a major boost for the sport among the youth.
Hosts India clinched the Squash World Cup title after defeating top seeds Hong Kong in a dominant final at the Express Avenue Mall in Chennai on Sunday, creating history on home soil.
Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi said, “Congratulations to the Indian Squash Team for creating history and winning their first-ever World Cup title at SDAT Squash World Cup 2025!”
The Prime Minister specifically praised the efforts of Joshna Chinnappa, Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthil Kumar and Anahat Singh, highlighting their determination and commitment.
“They have displayed tremendous dedication and determination. Their success has made the entire nation proud. This win will also boost the popularity of squash among our youth,” PM Modi added.
The victory also marked a significant milestone for Indian squash, as the team overcame the disappointment of the previous edition, where they had exited in the semi-finals on the same court in 2023.
India set the tone early in the summit clash with veteran Joshna Chinnappa delivering a strong opening performance.
The 39-year-old Chennai native defeated Hong Kong’s Ka Yi Lee 7-3, 2-7, 7-5, 7-1, giving India an early advantage.
In the second match, men’s first string Abhay Singh further strengthened India’s position with a commanding display against Alex Lau.
Singh dominated the encounter with aggressive and precise shot-making, sealing a swift 7-1, 7-4, 7-4 victory in just 19 minutes to double India’s lead.
With Hong Kong under pressure, the decisive match saw women’s first string Tomato Ho facing 17-year-old Anahat Singh.
Rising to the occasion amid loud home support, the young Delhi-based player showed remarkable composure and maturity.
Moreover, Anahat, who gained international attention after competing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games at just 14, overpowered her opponent with a confident 7-2, 7-2, 7-5 win, sealing the title for India.
The triumph made India only the sixth nation to win a major World Squash team championship, underlining the country’s growing stature in the sport on the global stage.
PM Modi’s message reflected the broader significance of the achievement, noting that such successes not only bring international recognition but also inspire young athletes to pursue sports professionally.
The historic World Cup victory is expected to give fresh momentum to squash in India, encouraging greater participation, investment and interest among the country’s youth.
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