Kolkata, August 7, 2026: Kolkata is all set to host an exciting international squash showdown as the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour arrives in the city from August 10 to 14, 2026, at The Calcutta Racket Club.
Organised by HCL Group in association with the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), the Kolkata leg is part of the annual HCL Squash Tour, a multi-city PSA Challenger circuit aimed at strengthening India’s squash talent pipeline and providing players with greater opportunities to compete at the international level on home soil.
The tournament will feature 48 players from seven countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Switzerland and Germany. Players will compete in the men’s and women’s categories, with a prize purse of US$9,000 in each category.
Returning to Kolkata after a successful 2025 edition, this year’s tournament boasts a highly competitive field, with 20 players ranked inside the PSA World Top 200.
India’s Tanvi Khanna, ranked World No. 74, will lead the women’s draw as the top seed, while Egypt’s Mohamed Gohar, ranked World No. 93, will headline the men’s draw. The tournament will also feature a strong line-up of promising Indian and international players.
Speaking about the tournament, Nikhil Soni, AGM – Marketing, HCL Group, said the organisation remains committed to creating a sustainable pathway for Indian squash talent by bringing international-level tournaments to India.
The Kolkata leg comes at an important time for Indian squash. Tanvi Khanna recently won the women’s title at the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour in Mumbai, while Anahat Singh has continued to make history on the international circuit, breaking into the PSA World Top 20 earlier this year.
With squash set to make its Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Games, tournaments such as the HCL-SRFI PSA Challenger are expected to play an increasingly important role in helping Indian players gain valuable ranking points, international exposure and high-level match experience.
The five-day Kolkata tournament is therefore set to be more than just a sporting contest—it will provide a major platform for emerging squash talent to compete alongside established international players and showcase their skills on home soil.
