Successful Finish for Chennai Leg of HCL Squash Tour & Southern Slam
Chennai, June 2024: To enhance the squash ecosystem in India, HCL, a leading global conglomerate, along with the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), successfully concluded the second leg of its multicity Indian Squash Tour in Chennai. This tour, part of HCL’s Squash Podium Program, aimed to provide Indian players an opportunity to compete against the world’s best on their home turf and gain international ranking points. The HCL Southern Slam was held at the Indian Squash Academy, from June 04 to June 08, showcasing exceptional talent and competitive spirit among players. The top squash talents, including Ravindu Laksiri (World Rank 142), Anahat Singh (U19 & World Rank 114), Rathika Suthanthira (World Rank 170), Rahul Baith (World Rank 206), Vedant Patel (World Rank 316), and Om Semwal (World Rank 279), compete for a $3K prize money in both the PSA Men and Women categories.
The Southern Slam and HCL Squash Tour provided a unique platform for young players to compete against best of the talents, gaining experience and enhancing their Asian and World ranking points respectively. Some of the key victories include Anahat Singh (India) winning in Southern Slam U-19 and women’s category of HCL Squash Tour and Ravindu Laksiri (Sri Lanka) winning in Men’s category.
The tournament’s success was celebrated at the closing ceremony, attended by esteemed guests including Ishaan Bhatnagar, member of Olympic Gold Quest and gold medallist Badminton player and Dr. Arumugam S. who is Director of Sri Ramachandra Centre of Sports Science.
Rajat Chandolia, AVP and Head of Brand at HCL, reaffirmed HCL’s commitment to squash “Our commitment to the Southern Slam and PSA Challenger underscores our dedication to elevating squash in India. Through these initiatives, we aim to provide young players with invaluable opportunities to compete on an international stage, showcasing their dedication and talent. The performances we’ve seen here in Chennai are a testament to their hard work and passion. We are proud to support their journeys and are determined to expand the squash community to more cities, fostering growth and excellence in the sport across the nation.”
Cyrus Poncha, Secretary General at Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), “The Southern Slam and PSA Challenger in Chennai are not just tournaments, they are vital platforms that bring together young and seasoned talents from across the globe. These tournaments offer a competitive arena where our athletes can test their skills against the best, gain invaluable experience, and showcase their prowess on an international stage. The enthusiasm and energy surrounding these tournaments are palpable, and they underscore a bright future for squash in India.”
In recent years, the Squash Capital has undergone a transformation in its squash facilities, cementing its position as a key hub within the central region of India. The city has continuously hosted various squash tournaments, including the successful Squash World Cup and National Doubles Championship. The culmination of events like the HCL Southern Slam & PSA Challenger Tour in Chennai marks a pivotal moment, symbolizing the city’s growing influence within the squash community.
Notes for the Editor
About HCL
Founded in 1976 as one of India’s original IT garage start-ups, HCL is a pioneer of modern computing with many firsts to its credit, including the introduction of the 8-bit microprocessor-based computer in 1978 well before its global peers. Today, the HCL enterprise has a presence across varied sectors that include technology, healthcare and talent management solutions and comprises three companies – HCL Infosystems, HCLTech and HCL Healthcare. The enterprise generates annual revenues of over US$ 13.3 billion with 227,481 employees operating across 60 countries. For further information, visit www.hcl.com .
About SRFI
The Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) was formed to oversee the promotion and development of the sport in India. The SRFI has more than 24 state associations and affiliated units with its headquarters in Chennai. The federation is affiliated to the World Squash Federation / Asian Squash Federation, Indian Olympic Association & recognized by the Government of India. SRFI has been forging ahead with dynamic plans ensuring the promotion, development, and performance of the sport at all levels.
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