Chennai :

Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar clinched a gold medal in the men’s doubles category with a commanding 2-0 victory in the HCL Nationals Doubles Championship here on Wednesday (May 15).

In the women’s doubles category, Pooja Arthi and Rathika Seelan secured the top spot with a thrilling 2-1 win. Abhay Singh teamed up with Joshna Chinappa to clinch gold in the mixed doubles category.

The HCL Nationals Doubles Championship, a collaborative effort between HCL and the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), concluded with resounding success at the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai from May 13th to May 15th, 2024.

Marking a significant milestone in India’s squash history, this event, part of the HCL Squash Podium Program, revived the Doubles Squash Championship after a hiatus of 17 years.

The winners were honoured by esteemed dignitaries, including Chief Guest Dr Atulya Misra, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Government, and Thulasimathi Murugesan, the gold medalist from the Asian Para Games 2022, who graced the finale ceremony as the guest of honour.

India’s recent success in doubles squash on the international stage, particularly at the Asian Games, served as a catalyst for HCL to reintroduce the Doubles Squash Championship. This initiative aimed to inject renewed enthusiasm into the sport and provide a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills in doubles play.

Rajat Chandolia, AVP and Head of Brand at HCL, expressed delight at the enthusiastic participation of squash players in the championship. He congratulated all the winners and participants, highlighting HCL’s commitment to supporting Indian players and elevating squash to new heights through initiatives like the Squash Podium Program.

Cyrus Poncha, Secretary General of SRFI, hailed the resurgence of doubles squash in India, attributing it to the collaborative efforts of SRFI and HCL. He stressed upon the significance of nurturing talented players and expressed confidence in the bright future of Indian squash.

“I am truly excited to see the renaissance of doubles squash in India, thanks to the mutual efforts of SRFI and HCL. It was truly thrilling to see the clashes between the double pairs. I believe that Indian Squash has a bright future and the stars of tomorrow will emerge from these events. Our association with HCL has been monumental for the sport and our combined efforts will continue to nurture talented players,” said Poncha.

Abhay Singh, who emerged victorious in both the men’s and mixed doubles categories, expressed his gratitude to HCL and SRFI for organising the championship. Looking ahead, he expressed determination to excel at the Asian Doubles Championship in Malaysia.

Abhay Singh, said, “I have always been interested in playing in the doubles category. I thank HCL and SRFI for organising this championship after a long time in India. I have played with Velavan in Commonwealth but this was my first time playing doubles with Joshna. It is such an honour to team up with her. I was sure that I would win in both categories but now it’s time to win gold at the Asian Doubles Championship in Malaysia.”

The championship showcased gripping matches, including the finals contested by pairs such as Abhay Singh & Velavan Senthilkumar, Rahul Baitha & Suraj Chand in the men’s category, Pooja Arthi & Rathika Seelan, and Janet Vidhi & Nirupama Dubey in the women’s category, and Abhay Singh & Joshna Chinappa, and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu & Rathika Seelan in the mixed doubles category.

The HCL National Doubles Championship not only celebrated sporting excellence but also marked a significant step forward in the resurgence of doubles squash in India, promising an exciting future for the sport and its talented athletes.

Its game time – play now!

source: http://www.mykhel.com / MyKhel.com / Home> MyKhel Sports / by MyKhel Team / May 15th, 2024