Revived Indian circuit boasts six events and attracts big names
By NATHAN CLARKE
The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have announced that the JSW Indian Squash Circuit, which made its debut on the PSA World Tour in 2014, will return bigger and better than ever before in 2015 with six tournaments set to take place across the country during September and October.
With two PSA M35 tournaments headlining the circuit, prize money has gone up almost 100 per cent year-on-year to a circuit total of $120,000 courtesy of steel company JSW’s continued support after they extended their partnership with the Indian Squash Circuit into a second year.
The JSW Indian Squash Circuit begins in Mumbai on Thursday September 3 with the NSCI Open before two M35 events, the CCI International and Kolkata International, take place in Mumbai and Kolkata, respectively on September 10-13 and September 24-27. The circuit comes to an end in Chennai on October 19 -22.
A host of big names are set to appear with Spanish No.1 Borja Golan, Marwan Elshorbagy and recent Indian National Champion Saurav Ghosal taking part at various stages of the circuit.
The man Ghosal beat in the final, Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu, is another eye-catching name after he won three of the four events on the circuit last time out. Joshna Chinappa will be the leading home hope in the women’s event in Mumbai.
Whilst Mumbai and Chennai were involved in hosting the JSW Indian Squash Circuit in 2014 the addition of Kolkata has helped to increase the circuit’s geographical spread around India, exposing top level squash to more new fans across the country than ever before.
“We are excited that the Indian Circuit will continue for a second successive year,” said Tournament Promoter Raj Arora.
“We’re thrilled to have some of the world’s leading players on show and can’t wait for what looks set to be a superb set of events. The circuit has a strong line-up containing some of the most recognisable names in the sport. It is hoped that seeing such luminaries of the sport in action will help to inspire a new generation of Indian players.”
With a number of local players taking part in the circuit, the JSW Indian Squash Circuit will once again give young Indian players a chance to gain vital experience at major events on the PSA World Tour whilst simultaneously attracting new potential young stars to the sport.
“We are delighted that the Indian circuit has grown considerably following last year’s successful debut,” said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough.
“These events give young Indian players the platform to perform on the biggest stage and helps to promote the sport in the best possible way. JSW are once again providing valuable sponsorship to the event and we look forward to working with Ivy Sports again, whose staunch commitment to the Indian Circuit has enabled the events to prosper.
Main picture by IRENA VANISOVA