Suraj Chand, Rouqaia Othman Clinch Titles at HCL Squash PSA Indian Challenger Tour – Chennai Leg

Chennai, April 20, 2026: India’s Suraj Kumar Chand and Egypt’s Rouqaia Othman emerged as champions in the men’s and women’s categories respectively at the Chennai leg of the HCL PSA Indian Tour, which concluded at the Indian Squash Academy on Sunday.

(L to R) S. Antony Joel Prabu, District Sports & Youth Welfare Officer, SDAT; Suraj Kumar Chand (India), Men's Final Winner; Rouqaia Othman (Egypt), Women's Final Winner; and Cyrus Poncha, Secretary General, SRFI

The five-day PSA Challenger event, held from April 16 to 20, featured 48 players from seven nations and was organised in partnership with the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) with support from the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Both the men’s and women’s draws carried a prize purse of USD 6,000 each, attracting a competitive international field.

Event Youtube Video link 👇 

In the men’s final, Suraj Kumar Chand produced a composed and high-intensity performance to defeat South Korea’s Jeongmin Ryu and secure the title. In the women’s final, Rouqaia Othman showcased a blend of consistency and attacking play to overcome Malaysia’s Harleein Tan, capping off an intense week of matches.

The Chennai leg witnessed strong Indian participation alongside players from Sri Lanka, Egypt, Malaysia and Korea, with several Indian contenders advancing into the later stages. The tournament underlined the growing depth of India’s professional squash ecosystem and the importance of hosting international-calibre competitions domestically.

The HCL India Squash Tour is part of a broader initiative to create a structured competitive pathway for Indian players, with multiple PSA Challenger events scheduled throughout the year. The series aims to bridge the gap between domestic and global competition by providing opportunities for players to earn valuable PSA ranking points on home soil.

Commenting on the finale, Sundar Mahalingam, President – Strategy, HCL Group, said the initiative reflects a commitment to strengthening squash in India through meaningful competitive platforms and sustained partnerships with SRFI.

Echoing this, Cyrus Poncha, Secretary General of SRFI, noted that the tournament’s scale — featuring 80 matches over five days — provided crucial exposure for players and highlighted their ability to compete at high levels consistently. He added that an Indian winner on home soil was particularly significant for the sport’s growth.

Reflecting on his victory, Suraj Kumar Chand said the title marked an important milestone in his journey, especially after falling short in recent tournaments. He credited his focus and match-by-match approach for the win, describing the moment as a reward for years of hard work and perseverance.

The HCL India Squash Tour will continue with upcoming legs in other key cities, reinforcing efforts to strengthen India’s domestic squash circuit and build a robust pipeline of professional talent capable of competing on the global stage.

****