Five-day national-level Squash Open tournament commenced at IIT Gandhinagar
Gandhinagar: The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN), in association with the Squash Racket Federation of India (SRFI) & All Gujarat Squash Racquet Association, commenced the first edition of ‘IIT Gandhinagar Squash Open’ today at the state-of-the-art Sports Complex of the Institute. Shri Ashwini Kumar (IAS), Principal Secretary, Sports, Youth & Cultural Activities Department, Government of Gujarat, inaugurated the national circuit tournament as the Chief Guest in the presence of Prof Amit Prashant, Officiating Director, IITGN.
The five-day national-level tournament will go on up to August 21, 2022, with about 250 squash players from 20 Indian states competing to win top three positions and trophies in presence of squash and sports enthusiasts. The tournament will follow a knockout format, followed by play-offs between the top eight players. IIT Gandhinagar Squash Open will contribute directly to the National Squash Ranking List, and participating players will get national ranking points based on their performance.
Speaking on occasion, Shri Ashwini Kumar (IAS), Principal Secretary, Sports, Youth & Cultural Activities Department, Government of Gujarat, said, “Generally, technological institutes are focused only on their academic and research activities, but I am very glad to see that IIT Gandhinagar is equally enthusiastic and upbeat about their sports infrastructure and what they want to achieve with it. I am happy to share that IIT Gandhinagar is also going to be one of the venues for the 36th National Games, which are scheduled to begin in Gujarat from September 27, and we are confident that we will put up a great show. I wish all the very best to all the players of the IIT Gandhinagar Squash Open.” Shri Ashwini Kumar also released tournament t-shirts during the inaugural event.
Sharing his thoughts on this occasion, Prof Amit Prashant, Officiating Director, IITGN, said, “IITGN has always promoted interest and excellence in sports. It is great to see sports enthusiasts from across the country coming together and playing a national-level tournament at our Institute. We intend to host more such events on the campus to create a vibrant sporting culture.”
The world-class Sports Complex of IITGN houses three glass backcourts for squash with wooden floors, which are built as per World Squash Federation guidelines. Earlier, the Institute had also organised a month-long Squash Coaching Camp during May and June 2022, which was led by an SRFI-certified coach from Delhi.
The newly built Sports Complex at IITGN is equipped with several top-notch facilities for various indoor and outdoor sports/activities, including Badminton Courts, Squash Courts, Table Tennis Court, Volleyball Court, Basketball Court, Climbing Wall, Football Ground, Cricket Ground, Athletic Track, an Olympic Size Swimming Pool, Yoga Hall, Gym, and so on. These facilities help students and the community practise and attain professionalism in their respective games while ensuring their fitness and wellness.