Aug 31, 2024
Kolkata, August 31st 2024: 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:
| Eastern Slam | |
| Category | Winners |
| Boys Under 11 | Tilakvir Kapoor (India) |
| Girls Under 11 | Aradhana Singh (India) |
| Boys Under 13 | Vidhurran Ruthiran (Malaysia) |
| Girls Under 13 | Anika Kalanki (India) |
| Boys Under 15 | Lokesh Subramani (India) |
| Girls Under 15 | Aadya Budhia (India) |
| Boys Under 17 | Yusha Nafees (India) |
| Girls Under 17 | Sanvi Batar (India) |
| Boys Under 19 | Gurveer Singh (India) |
| Girls Under 19 | Anahat Singh (India) |
| HCL Squash Tour | |
| Men Singles | Ravindu Laksiri (Sri Lanka) |
| Women Singles | Anahat Singh (India) |
Notes for the Editor
About HCL Group
Founded in 1976 as one of India’s original IT garage start-ups, HCL Group 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 Group 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$13.4 billion with 219,000 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.
For further information, please contact:
On behalf of HCL:
Alisha Bisherwal: Alisha.a@hcl.com (8447821231)
Shruti Saxena: shruti-saxena@hcl.com (9654356487)