'Epitome Of Sporting Excellence'! Saurav Ghosal Delighted With Inclusion Of Squash At Olympics

Last Updated:March 21, 2026, 13:35 IST

Squash is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, and iconic India player Ghosal called it a watershed moment in the history of the sport.

Former squash India No. 1 Saurav Ghosal, who was recently appointed as Sports Commissioner of World Premier Squash, described the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics as a watershed moment and stressed the need to broaden access, improve coaching, and strengthen the overall ecosystem to sustain the sport’s growth.

Ghosal, who underlined the importance of exposure and opportunity, also said the role represents the culmination of his journey in the sport.

“I played professional squash and represented India for more than 20 years… it’s been a blessing. This phase brings together all those experiences, and I’m excited to hopefully contribute at the global level and help democratise the sport," he said.

“I’ve always viewed pressure situations as opportunities… this is an opportunity to do something substantial in the sport," he added.

Speaking about India’s rise in squash, Ghosal highlighted the importance of increasing participation.

“Strength lies in numbers… if you have more players playing, the probability of producing champions increases," he said.

“The upward trajectory is very heartening… this is an attempt to democratise the sport, to involve more kids, more people and more recreational players, because the entire ecosystem has to be engaged," he added.

“There are so many players who haven’t had financial backing or proper guidance. This can give them a window to showcase their talent on the world stage," he said.

India currently has multiple players in the top-50, including teenager Anahat Singh.

“It’s great that we have four boys in the top-50… and we also have Anahat in the top-20. Success breeds success, and that will help the overall ecosystem," Ghosal said.

“She has everything going for her — talent, mentality, support… if she continues the way she is, there’s no reason she cannot be a mainstay in the top-10," he added.

“I don’t want to put undue pressure on her, she’s still 18 and needs to enjoy this time," he said.

On squash’s Olympic debut at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, Ghosal called it a defining moment.

“It’s a watershed moment, not just for Indian squash but globally. The Olympics is the biggest platform and the epitome of sporting excellence," he said.

“It’s only befitting that squash gets the chance to showcase its athletic excellence on the biggest stage… and I’m sure it will be a very entertaining show," he added.

“I really hope we have Indians making a dent in that 16-player draw; that’s what everyone is working towards," he said.

On pathways to the Olympics, he pointed to the Asian Games as a key opportunity for players to secure their spots.

“The winner at the Asian Games will take the first confirmed spot. Winning gold is not easy, no Indian has done it before, but it is definitely within reach.

“The idea is not just to qualify but to put yourself in a position to be a realistic medal contender," he said.

Despite the progress, Ghosal pointed out structural gaps in Indian squash.

“You can’t train in India 365 days a year at the highest level… even the top players train abroad because the quality of coaches at the highest echelon is not there in India today.

“That is something we need to work towards… bringing in people from abroad and having Indian coaches work with them so they understand what it takes at the highest level," he said.

Comparing India with other leading squash nations, he said: “If you look at Egypt, most players train at home, you have top players training together and pushing each other constantly."

He also emphasised the need to expand grassroots access for the sport to grow in the country.

“It has been a slightly elitist sport… access to courts has not been easy, though that is slowly changing.

“Junior programmes and more tournaments have helped… kids see it, get into the competitive feeling and play more.

“To really explode in numbers, taking it into schools is important, and using digital platforms to reach players even in far-flung areas.

“Getting it on TV is extremely important… it gives kids that aspirational value to take up the sport," he said.

Speaking about the format and innovations in World Premier Squash, which uses AI-enabled qualification pathways, he said it will be “extremely different" from traditional squash.

“Short, sharp and entertaining, and as inclusive as possible across age groups.

“There are so many players who are extremely talented but may not travel… this gives them a chance to qualify from wherever they are," he said.

“All you need is a phone and the app, and you could be on a global leaderboard and even stand on the same court as the top players," he added.

“It’s about bridging the gap between the professional tour, juniors and recreational players… a 360-degree effort to elevate the sport," he said.

Asked about India’s maiden Squash World Cup triumph, Ghosal said it was a step forward, but bigger goals lie ahead.

“It’s a good achievement, but there are bigger things to win. The Olympics is the epitome, and players now have the opportunity to do something substantial there," he said.

Ghosal stressed that collective effort will be crucial in the coming years.

“We are talking about five players today; we need to aim for hundreds. If all stakeholders work together over the next five to 10 years, there’s no reason why we can’t get there," he said.

(With Inputs From Agencies)

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