As squash prepares for its historic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, India has taken a decisive step to strengthen its high-performance ecosystem in the sport.
The Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) has announced a strategic partnership with global commodities firm M Resources to bolster its Squash Excellence Programme, a targeted initiative aimed at developing Olympic-level athletes.
The collaboration comes at a crucial juncture for Indian squash, which is witnessing both depth and upward momentum across men’s and women’s circuits. With the Olympic inclusion of squash now confirmed, the focus has shifted from incremental growth to structured medal-oriented preparation, and IIS is positioning itself at the centre of that transition.
Founded by JSW Sports, IIS has steadily built a reputation as one of India’s premier high-performance centres. Its Squash Excellence Programme, launched in 2023, represents a non-residential model that integrates coaching, sports science, and international exposure into a single development pathway. The addition of M Resources as a partner significantly enhances the programme’s operational and competitive scope.
Parth Jindal, Founder of JSW Sports and IIS, emphasised the importance of such collaborations in bridging the gap between potential and podium finishes. “At IIS, we are committed to bringing the world’s best to India and giving our athletes every chance to succeed, especially as we build towards the Asian Games and the 2028 Olympics. This has been a breakthrough phase for Indian squash, and partnerships like this allow us to scale our ambitions,” he said.
Indian squash has indeed entered a promising phase. Teenage sensation Anahat Singh has already broken into the world’s top 20, while the men’s circuit boasts multiple players within the top 50, including Abhay Singh, Veer Chotrani, Ramit Tandon, and Velavan Senthilkumar. This depth provides a strong foundation, but converting it into consistent global podium finishes requires sustained high-performance investment—precisely what this partnership aims to address.
The IIS Squash Excellence Programme currently supports 20 athletes across three tiers: Elite, Performance, and Development squads. This tiered structure allows for customised training interventions based on an athlete’s stage of progression, ensuring both immediate results and long-term pipeline development.
With M Resources coming on board, the programme will expand its capabilities in several key areas. Athletes will gain access to internationally renowned coaches, advanced performance analytics, and integrated sports science support, including strength and conditioning, nutrition planning, physiotherapy, and mental conditioning. These elements are critical in a sport like squash, where physical endurance, tactical awareness, and recovery cycles play a decisive role.
Manisha Malhotra, President of IIS, highlighted the broader vision behind the initiative. “Squash has been on the cusp of Olympic inclusion for years, and now that it is finally part of LA 2028, the responsibility is to ensure our athletes are ready to compete at that level. India has a rich legacy in squash, and our goal is not just participation, but podium finishes,” she stated.
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A key component of the programme is international exposure. Through this partnership, Indian players will have increased opportunities to compete in Professional Squash Association (PSA) events, participate in overseas training camps, and engage in high-intensity match simulations. These experiences are essential for adapting to the pace and tactical complexity of the global circuit.
Matt Lattimore, Founder and President of M Resources, underscored the timing and intent behind the collaboration. “We are proud to partner with IIS at such a pivotal moment for squash. The infrastructure and ecosystem they have built are world-class, and we believe this programme can produce athletes capable of succeeding at the Olympic level,” he said.
Beyond athlete development, the partnership is also expected to enhance India’s ability to host international squash events. Increased tournament exposure on home soil not only benefits Indian players but also strengthens the country’s position within the global squash calendar.
From a systems perspective, this collaboration reflects a broader shift in Indian sport moving from fragmented development models to integrated high-performance ecosystems backed by private investment and global expertise. IIS has already demonstrated this approach across multiple disciplines, and squash now becomes a key focus area in the Olympic build-up cycle.
The timing aligns with a packed international calendar, including the upcoming Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, both of which serve as critical benchmarks ahead of LA 2028. Performances in these events will provide valuable indicators of India’s readiness and highlight areas requiring further intervention.
For Indian squash, the objective is clear: translate current promise into sustained excellence. While the country has produced world-class players in the past, Olympic inclusion changes the stakes, demanding a more structured, data-driven, and resource-intensive approach.
The IIS–M Resources partnership is a step in that direction. By combining infrastructure, expertise, and financial backing, it creates a framework where talent can be systematically nurtured and performance optimised.
As the countdown to Los Angeles 2028 begins, initiatives like these will determine whether India can emerge not just as participants in squash’s Olympic debut, but as genuine medal contenders.
