Squash World Cup winner Abhay Singh honoured by Guru Nanak College

Champion credits college support, teamwork for India’s landmark victory

Days after he starred in India’s first-ever Squash World Cup victory, Guru Nanak College, Chennai, held a grand felicitation ceremony for its student and  international squash star Abhay Singh, highlighting the institution’s commitment to sporting excellence.

 The Guru Nanak Educational Society (GNES), which runs Guru Nanak College and Guru Nanak School in Tamil Nadu’s capital, organised a special felicitation ceremony to honour there student and international squash player Abhay Singh celebrating his latest achievement, as part of the team that won the Squash World Cup for the first-time ever.

The event held on Thursday at the college campus in Velachery, that brought together students, faculty members and college administrators, turned the campus into a space of pride, reflection and inspiration.

Addressing the gathering, Singh expressed heartfelt gratitude to the institution that supported him during the formative and defining stages of his career. Singh said that the achievement carried deep personal significance alongside national pride, making the honour especially meaningful as he returned to the institution that shaped his journey.

Calling himself a proud product of Guru Nanak College, he acknowledged the crucial role the institution played in shaping his journey.

“I am a very proud student of this institution. This college was the first to come forward with both financial and moral support for my tournaments, and that support has meant a great deal to me,” he said.

Behind Singh’s success on the international stage stands a strong support system, with his alma mater playing a central role in his journey, he has repeatedly acknowledged the institution’s contribution to his development, crediting it for standing by him from the earliest stages of his international career.

“The college has been a very big part of my squash career. They supported me from the first day that I made the Indian team,” Singh tells Media India Group.

That support, he explains, extends far beyond logistics. From emotional encouragement and academic flexibility to a genuine belief in his potential, the backing from the institution has allowed him to pursue excellence in sport without compromising on education.

“I am very grateful to the entire college community my teachers, staff and the committee that has supported me like their own child. Their faith has helped me focus on my game while continuing my studies, a balance many young athletes find difficult,” he adds.

At the felicitation ceremony, Manjit Singh Nayar, General Secretary and Correspondent of Guru Nanak College, highlighted the institution’s long-standing commitment to supporting students in both academics and sports. He spoke about the importance of creating an environment where talent is nurtured through encouragement, infrastructure and meaningful partnerships. He added that

“We are fortunate to have Abhay Singh with us today, a proud alumnus and a celebrated sportsperson whose journey is an inspiration for our students. His story shows how dedication, discipline and institutional support can lead to excellence,” Nayar said.

Reiterating the institution’s commitment to nurturing sporting talent, Nayar said the college is steadily working towards building a stronger and more inclusive sports ecosystem through infrastructure development, partnerships and sustained academic support. He highlighted that the focus remains on creating an environment where young athletes can adapt, improve and grow holistically.

“We are happy to welcome Gurjapneet Singh to our college cricket team. Like many young athletes, he is working through challenges such as adapting to local conditions and improving fitness. With the strong support of our professors, collaborations with CSK for ground maintenance and talent development, and partnerships with the HCL Foundation and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, we are creating an environment where students can truly grow. With upcoming squash courts and new initiatives, we aim to provide even more opportunities for talent to flourish,” Nayar said.

Highlighting the institution’s long-term vision to promote individual sports and create lasting inspiration for young athletes, Nayar announced a new initiative centred around squash development at the college. He said the move reflects the institution’s intent to honour excellence while encouraging greater participation in the sport.

“Squash courts will be made ready at our sports academy and will be named after Abhay Singh to encourage squash as a sport. Going forward, we also plan to focus more on nurturing talent in individual sports,” he said.

Reinforcing its commitment to recognising and rewarding sporting excellence, the institution also distributed sports scholarships and grants to medal winners from various disciplines who have represented the State at national and international events.

In recognition of his outstanding sporting achievements, and in accordance with the institution’s policy of cash recognition,  Singh was awarded a cash prize of INR 11,00,000. In addition, the Vice President, Jasbir Singh Narula, personally honoured him with a cash award of INR 51,000 in appreciation of his remarkable accomplishments. This was followed by the distribution of cash awards for the academic years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to students who had achieved distinction at the University, State, National, and International levels.

Reflecting on the significance of the win, Singh said the World Cup triumph was made even more special by the circumstances in which it was achieved, particularly the advantage of playing at home and with the support of familiar faces.

“Honestly, I am super happy not just because we won the World Cup, but because we managed to do it at home, in front of our own people. The setting made the moment even more special. Competing in front of home crowds, in familiar conditions and with strong local support created an atmosphere that pushed the team to perform at its peak,” Singh adds.

Rajinder Singh Bhasin, President, GNES, in his address, expressed immense pride and happiness in welcoming the gathering on this significant occasion. He remarked that Singh’s success was the outcome of years of sustained effort, focus, patience and perseverance and noted that his recent triumph had further strengthened India’s position in the sport of squash. He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to encouraging students to actively participate in sports and extended heartfelt congratulations to Singh on behalf of the management, staff and students.

On the occasion, R M Ezhilarasi, Principal, Guru Nanak College,  expressed immense pride in Singh’s contribution to Indian sports and remarked that his victory belonged to the entire nation.

This World Cup marked Singh’s second appearance at the tournament, making the gold medal a clear step forward in his journey and reflecting the experience he has gained over the years at the highest level of the sport.

“Personally, this was my second World Cup. Last time, we only got a bronze medal. So to have won the gold this time, I am really happy. The progression from bronze to gold symbolised not only individual growth but also the evolution of the Indian team as a whole,” Singh adds.

India’s success, Singh emphasised, was the result of sustained preparation rather than a last-minute surge, with the team placing equal importance on mental strength and physical conditioning well before the tournament began. That groundwork, he said, ensured clarity, confidence and collective intent once the competition started.

According to him, India’s World Cup triumph was built on thorough preparation, match sharpness and a strong team-first mindset that strengthened with each round of the tournament. Recent competitive exposure, he noted, helped the squad settle quickly, build momentum and carry confidence into the knockout stages.

“The team was very well prepared and everyone was fully committed. We entered the World Cup with clear roles, confidence in our abilities and a shared hunger to deliver results. Three of my teammates had played the Chennai Open the week before and all of them reached the finals, so they were in very good form. Beating Egypt in the semifinals gave us huge confidence going into the final, and even against Hong Kong, everyone stayed calm. It was a complete team performance as this wasn’t about one player and everyone contributed,” Singh said.

With squash set to enter the Olympic Games starting from 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, India’s World Cup gold has sparked renewed conversations around the country’s Olympic ambitions and the future growth of the sport. Singh believes the victory goes beyond medals, carrying the potential to inspire a new generation and strengthen India’s presence on the global squash stage.

“This win helps squash grow in India. If more children start playing the sport because of this, I hope one day we will see an Indian Olympic medallist. India is getting bigger on the world squash stage, and this victory puts us in the limelight. Hopefully, it brings more publicity, more events and encourages more people to take up squash,” he said.

For Singh, the progression from a bronze medal in his first World Cup to gold this time underlines the importance of patience and persistence. The improvement came through experience gained over the years, lessons learned from earlier campaigns, and growing confidence at the international level.

Highlighting the discipline, sacrifice and unwavering support behind his son’s success, Gurmeet Singh, reflected on the personal journey that shaped Singh into a leader on the court. He spoke of the dedication required to compete at the highest level and acknowledged the institutions and people who stood by his son throughout his rise.

“Abhay lost 22 kg in just one year to prove that he could lead the team and I have rarely seen such consistent discipline and commitment in daily life it truly shows his passion. I am grateful to the Government of Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and the Guru Nanak College management for their immense support,” Singh said in the event.

His father described the occasion as a moment of immense pride for the family. Recalling Singh’s gold medal victory at the Asian Games, he reflected on his earlier belief in the motto “No guts, no glory” and added that Singh’s journey had taught him a deeper truth “No grind, no greatness; no sweat, no shine”. He reflected Singh’s exceptional discipline in his daily routine and his deep passion for the sport. He also extended his sincere thanks to the Government of Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, as well as to his coaches, trainers, international mentors and the Guru Nanak College management for the support extended to his son.