India, Dec. 8 -- As the Asian Games of 2023 transition into the 2024 World Squash Team Championships commencing on Monday, Abhay Singh humorously reflects on his journey from being the "youngest member of the team to now taking the lead."

Among the players who contributed to the men's gold and women's bronze medal victories in Hangzhou, only two will represent India in Hong Kong: 26-year-old Abhay and 16-year-old Anahat Singh. Saurav Ghosal has announced his retirement, while Joshna Chinappa and Harinder Pal Sandhu will take on coaching roles during the upcoming week.

These are transformative times for Indian squash, coinciding with a significant evolution in the global squash landscape, particularly with the sport being included in the Olympic program for Los Angeles 2028. The significance of this World Team Championships, a prestigious event that has been held since the 1960s, is heightened as it will feature both men's and women's competitions simultaneously for the first time, thus gaining an Olympic-level prominence.

The Indian teams, missing some of the nation's most distinguished squash players, will enter the competition with a youthful and relatively untested lineup, all while keeping the LA Games in mind as they embark on a new Olympic cycle.

"Honestly, I'm also eager to find out what the week is like," Abhay remarked.

Currently ranked No. 53 in the world on the PSA pro tour, Abhay is joined in the men's team by 26-year-old Velavan Senthilkumar (ranked 45), 23-year-old Veer Chotrani (ranked 85), and 23-year-old Suraj Kumar Chand (ranked 153). The men's team is grouped with Ireland and Colombia in the 26-team round-robin phase. The women's team includes Akanksha Salunkhe (ranked 70), the promising Anahat (ranked 94), Urwashi Joshi (ranked 136), and 19-year-old Nirupama Dubey (ranked 206). They will compete against Belgium, Colombia, and Italy in their group from a total of 23 teams.

This major event, featuring some of the world's elite players and teams, will serve as an excellent opportunity for this largely inexperienced Indian squad to gain valuable experience as they look ahead to the LA 2028 Olympics.

The perspective I am gaining from this event regarding the Olympics revolves around the emerging players who will continue to compete on the tour. I am considering who I might potentially face in four years, categorizing various athletes from different nations and closely observing their performances, stated 25-year-old Akanksha, a five-time PSA titleholder and a graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, USA.

On a personal note, I view this as the beginning of a journey to lead the Indian team in the upcoming years, particularly as we approach the Los Angeles Olympics and beyond, remarked Abhay. I aim to set a precedent for what our team can achieve together, infusing it with passion, intensity, and enthusiasm.

Abhay emerged as one of India's standout athletes at last year's Asian Games, where his passionate and decisive victory in the final against Pakistan secured the gold medal for the Indian men's team. Historically, the sport in India gained prominence primarily during the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, but with the Olympic designation, events like the World Team Championship now carry greater significance.

Certainly, Abhay affirmed. Besides the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, our participation has largely been limited to Asian and world events, which are also quite significant. I have only competed in Asian team events, so this will be a new experience for me. We have yet to contend for medals at the world level, but I believe that achievement is within reach. I am eager to discover what lies ahead.

Read Also: Gambhir Faces Backlash for KKR Connection in Reddy and Rana Picks

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!