**Executive Summary**
On December 17, 2025, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated the Indian Squash team for winning the maiden World Cup in Chennai. The team's victory marks an improvement from their previous bronze medal finish in the 2023 edition. The team now looks forward to the Asian Games 2026 and the LA 2028 Olympics.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Victory and Recognition:**
* Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated the Indian Squash team after their World Cup win.
* The team's win marked India's maiden Squash World Cup title.
* India defeated top-seeded Hong Kong 3-0 in the final.
* India is the fourth nation to win the Squash World Cup.
* **Team Composition:**
* The mixed team included Joshna Chinappa, Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthilkumar, and Anahat Singh.
* **Minister's Remarks:**
* Dr. Mandaviya called the win a "proud moment for Indian sport."
* He noted the significance of winning the World Cup on home soil.
* **Support System:**
* The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) has supported India's top squash players.
* TOPS strengthens preparation through high-performance inputs, international exposure, and expert guidance.
* **Future Events:**
* The team anticipates the Asian Games 2026 in Japan and the LA 2028 Olympics.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Squash Team**
* **Impact:** The team is recognised and celebrated for winning the maiden World Cup. They have gained experience and confidence ahead of the Asian Games and LA Olympics.
* **Action Required:** Continue preparations for upcoming major assignments.
**Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports**
* **Impact:** Reinforces the success of the Ministry's initiatives, especially the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which is instrumental in providing high-performance inputs.
* **Action Required:** Continue supporting and promoting sports through schemes like TOPS.
**Indian Sports Sector**
* **Impact:** Enhances the reputation of the sports sector. Demonstrates India's ability to perform well in sports.
* **Action Required:** Continue to build infrastructure, nurture young talent, and provide necessary resources to athletes.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: The ministry responsible for sports development and youth affairs in India. The Sports Minister felicitated the Indian Squash Team.
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): A scheme to provide support to top athletes, mentioned as benefiting the squash players.
Squash World Cup: The tournament won by the Indian Squash team. The team was felicitated for the victory.
Chennai: The city where the squash team received support and where Anahat Singh played alongside seniors.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
felicitates Indian Squash Team after maiden
World Cup triumph in Chennai
India is doing so well in sports sector. One after another, we
are creating milestones: Dr. Mandaviya
प्रव तथ: 17 DEC 2025 6:08PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated the historic World Cup
winning Indian Squash team on Wednesday.
The mixed team, comprising Joshna Chinappa, Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthilkumar and Anahat Singh,
scripted history in Chennai last Saturday.
The win marked India’s maiden Squash World Cup title, improving on their previous best finish of a
bronze medal at the 2023 edition.
India registered a 3-0 victory over top-seeded Hong Kong in the final of the tournament, and became only
the fourth nation to win the Squash World Cup, joining an elite list featuring Australia, England and
Egypt.
Congratulating the players, Dr. Mandaviya mentioned it was a “proud moment for Indian sport”.
"India is doing so well in sports sector. One after another, we are creating milestones. Our women's cricket
team also won the World Cup recently," he said.
"Our Squash team winning the World Cup at our own soil is a great moment of pride. The team also didn't
lose a single match throughout the competition. I am happy that this evolution of the sports sector will
keep bringing more laurels for the country," the Hon'ble Minister added.
India’s top squash players have also benefited from Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) support,
which has played a crucial role in strengthening their preparation through sustained high-performance
inputs, international exposure and expert guidance.
Youngster Anahat Singh credited the crowd support throughout the Chennai meet. "I played at a World
Cup for the first time ever alongside my seniors. It was a great learning experience and I thank the
Chennai crowd for the continuous support," the 17-year-old said.
The team now looks forward to a major assignment coming in the form of Asian Games 2026 and
ultimately LA 2028 Olympics, where Squash will make its debut.Ahead of the Asian Games scheduled in Japan next year, Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee Joshna
Chinappa remains hopeful.
"We had been preparing for a lot of months and the experience was great at the World Cup. It gives us a
lot of confidence ahead of the Asiad in Japan. I personally hope to stay in the best of shape and qualify for
the games," the 39-year-old said.***
Ayushman Kumar
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2205433) आगंतुक पटल : 508
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