SRFI to introduce Under-23 category at the National Championships
Over the course of a number of years, the Chennai-based Squash Rackets Federation of India(SRFI) have given extensive attention to its junior programme, that has now seen youngsters like Velavan Senthilkumar and Akanksha Salunkhe go to the next level and make the cut into the senior squad for major events.
However, if one has a look at the way the programme has been structured, then the success of the juniors shouldn't certainly not come as a surprise.
For both the Boys as well as the Girls, the format comprises of 5 categories, ranging from the Under-11s to Under19s, which means that development of a squash player is taken care of at every stage and he/she isn’t fast-tracked into the senior level too early.
In its process to provide more exposure to junior players, the SRFI have decided to include yet another category, which would give an opportunity for another bunch of players, who are vying for a spot in high categories.
Joining the already existing 5 groups will be the Under-23 category and the federation aims to increase its popularity by conducting two tournaments- The Summer Classic Open at the end of June in Delhi and the NSCI Indian Classic in Mumbai, the following month, in July.
The federation has also decided to include the Under-23 category to its National Championships.
The players who are a part of the Under-19 category will have an added incentive if they decide to compete in the Under-23 tournaments as they would be awarded incentive points.
While as of now it hasn’t been started, the federation also aims to start a new ranking system once it stages a minimum of 5 tournaments in that category.
These are most certainly exciting times for Indian squash and the introduction of more players in a new category should hopefully further the sport in the country.
The entries for registration close on the 3rd of June.