In a groundbreaking move for school-level sports, Pune is gearing up to host the 67th National School Games Squash Championships, scheduled to take place at the Maharashtra Squash Academy from January 9 to January 13. The event will witness a record-breaking participation of 391 squash players hailing from 17 states across the country, showcasing their skills on the state-of-the-art All Glass courts.
Players from Maharashtra, Assam, Tamilnadu, CBSC Board, IB Board, Vidya Bharti, Chandigarh, Jharkhand, Andhra, Delhi, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Manipur, Telangana, IPSC, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat will be competing in the U-14, U-17, and U-19 Boys & Girls categories.
Pradeep Khandre, President of Maharashtra Squash Association, expressed his excitement about the event, stating, “This is the first time school-level nationals will be held in Pune, and we are proud to host a record number of 391 participants. Additionally, the tournament will witness a significant milestone as it will be played on all-glass courts.”
He further highlighted the state-of-the-art infrastructure at the Maharashtra Squash Academy in Undri, which boasts three all-glass courts—the first facility in India with such a setup and the second in Asia after Hangzhou, China.
“Squash has been included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and will be played on an all-glass court. Our vision is to provide the best infrastructure to athletes from a young age so that they can improve their performances and reach the Olympics,” added Khandre.
The tournament, sponsored by Indian Oil, will see the participation of 50 officials and volunteers each. Each State/UT/Unit is eligible to send a team with a maximum of 36 members, including 10 players in each age group (five boys and girls respectively) along with three coaches and managers. The tournament draw is scheduled to be made on January 9.
The inauguration of the tournament on January 10 at 5 pm will be conducted by Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, District Collector, Pune, who also serves as the president of the Organizing Committee. Arjuna Awardee wrestler Kaka Pawar will also grace the occasion along with other distinguished guests, marking the commencement of this historic sporting event.
