HISTORY

Indian Squash Professionals (ISP), a non profit making organization, was formed by Mr. Mahendra Agarwal in 1993, with the sole aim of promoting the game of squash in India . In January 1993 ISP conducted the first ever squash tournament (since 1947) only for Professionals, or Markers as they are known in India, and also the first Doubles squash tournament in India, at Hotel Leela, Mumbai.  

From January 1993 till date, ISP has organized 104 tournaments, 38 free coaching camps all over India (Rajkot, Jodhpur, Mussorie & interiors of Maharashtra) and adopted five players (Arif Paul, Deepali Anvekar, Priyanka Yadav, Abhishek Pradhan and Ankita Sharma).

ISP has its own website, www.ispsquash.com which is the only active squash website in India . It is updated daily and receives about 150,000 hits each month. ISP also publishes a 12 page news magazine, "PROSQUASH", which is distributed to 3000 squash players free of cost and read by 15,000 squash lovers throughout the country. This magazine has completed 61 issues till Janaury 2012.

ISP was instrumental in introducing several well-known squash coaches from countries like Egypt, Canada & Pakistan to India. Jahangir Khan's coach Rahmat Khan (Pakistan) was the first to conduct a coaching camp in the year 1997 followed by Abdul Shaikh (Canada), Sammy Farrag (Egypt), Hanny Ezzat (Egypt),  Khalid Atlas Khan (Pakistan), Tarek Solemn (Egypt) and Ahmed Yosef (Egypt).   

ISP was also instrumental in getting the Government of Maharashtra’s State recognition for Squash in May 2000, in association with Squash Racquets Association of Maharashtra (SRAM).

ISP, in association with SRAM, has spread the game of squash to the interiors of Maharashtra (districts Nanded, Beed, Satara, Pimpri, Kolhapur, Solapur, Aurangabad ,Thane, Jalgaon & Nashik) through free coaching camps, tournaments and building squash courts with the help of Sports Ministry, Government of Maharashtra.   

ISP also helped Joshna Chinappa, who became the first Indian girl to win the British Junior Open 2003 & is runners up in Under-19 World Championship 2005, get sponsorship from SWITCHER through our Hon. Member Rakesh Lakhanpal, and Government grant in 2005 with the help of late Mr. Sunil Dutt (Sports Minister, Government of India)     

ISP has received messages of commendation from Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpyee (Ex-Prime Minister of India ), Shri. L. K. Advani (Ex-Deputy Prime Minister of India ), Shri. Vijay Goyal (Ex-Sports Minister Of India ), Shri. Amrish Patel (Ex Sports Minister Of Maharashtra ), Shri. Anil Diggikar (Ex-Director Of Sports, Govt. Of Maharashtra & Chief Patron of School Games Federation of India ), Shri. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (Vice President of India ), Dr. Akhilesh Das (Minister of State for Steel, Government of India ), Shri. Gopalswami (Chief Election Commissioner of India ), Shri. Mani Shankar Aiyar (Minister of Panchayati Raj and Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India ), Shri. Prem Chand Gupta (Minister of Company Affairs, Government of India ), Shri. Vilasrao Deshmukh (Chief Minister of Maharashtra ), Shri. Narendra Modi ( Chief Minister Gujarat State ), Shri. Naval Kishore Sharma (Governor of Gujrat), Shri. Prithviraj Chavan (Chief Minister of Maharashtra ), Shri. Ashok Galhot (Chief Minister of Rajasthan), Shri. Chhagan Bhujbal (Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra ). The commendations were for organizing our 50^th & 75th and 100th tournaments, as well as for promotion of squash.              

ISP has taken the initiative to import quality squash rackets from Taiwan and make them available to the players at subsidized rates to promote the game.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To create a Squash Culture in India
2. To produce a world beater from India
3. To identify talent and foster competitive spirit amongst the youngster by supporting them to prepare them for participation in International events.
4. To enhance better working environment for our Professionals, who are the backbone of Squash In India.
5. To promote Indian Squash through our mouthpiece “PROSQUASH”, India’s only Squash Magazine.
6. To upgrade our already popular website  www.ispsquash.com having news of Squash in India/World.
7. To adopt talented youngsters through sponsorship.
8. To be helpful as mediators for any problems that may arise and threaten the interests of the sport in India.
9. To create a world class infrastructure – viz. Squash Academy in Mumbai.
10. To provide exposure to international coaching by inviting coaches/physical trainers to India and sending players abroad for coaching.

ACTIVITIES

·         We Adopted: 
Arif Paul (27 June 1996)
Deepali Anvekar (12 Dec 1997) 
Priyanka Yadav (2 July 1999) 
Abhishek Pradhan (2003)
Ankita Sharma (2004-2005-2006)

·         Launching of PROSQUASH Magazine (India's leading squash magazine) : 11 Dec 1996

·         We Introduced Rahmat khan (coach to legendary Jahangir Khan former World no 1 ) : 7 Feb 1997

·         We Felicitated Akhil Behl 23 Jan 1998 (for winning the national championship)

·         ISP Launches 1st Website (www.squashindia.com) : 9th September 1998

·         Life Time Achievement Award (to Shyamlal Verma (14 times national champion) & Others: 4 Feb 1999

·         ISP Launches Website  (www.ispsquash.com) : 16th November 1999

·         ISP-SRAM Jointly Associates in Squash Recognition in Maharashtra : 1 June 2000

·         Squash Rackets  Federation in Gujarat

·         Felicitation of Vikram Malhotra for winning 3 international tournament  : 5 Aug 2002

·         25th Issue of "PROSQUASH" : 15 Jan 2003

·         Booster Machine Introduced for the 1st time in India : 7th September 2003

·         ISP roped in Switcher to sponsor Joshna Chinappa.

·         ISP brought top foreign coaches like: Samy Farang from Egypt in May 2007, Hanny Ezzat from Egypt in July 2007, Khalid Atlas Khan from Pakistan in August & November 2007, Tareek Soleman from Egypt in Jan 2008 and Ahmed Youssef (Physical Trainer from Egypt in Jan 2008) to train top junior squash players from India.   

APPEAL

The donation by Indians and NRI's are exempted under 80-G of income tax. The donation is to be made by cheque / draft in the name of Indian Squash Professionals and posted to our Office In India.  
Address:  705, Raylon Arcade, Next to Pidilite, Kondivita Lane, Andheri -East, Mumbai - 400 059  Tel : 42382000 (50 lines) Fax : 42382020 Email: squashindia@yahoo.com