349 players across 3 countries to converge in CG for global squash tournament

Raipur: After dishing out pristine lawns at Nava Raipur to announce itself as a professional golfer’s destination, Chhattisgarh is now set to host one of the country’s premier squash tournaments.Deputy chief minister Arun Sao unveiled the official logo of the multinational Eastern Slam 2026, a five-star-ranked event that is expected to attract hundreds of players from across the country and abroad.The tournament will be held from June 22 to 27 at the Squash Complex in Budhapara, Raipur. Recognised by the Asian Squash Federation (ASF) and the Professional Squash Association (PSA), the event has been awarded a five-star rating by the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), underscoring its stature on the national squash calendar.A total of 349 players from three countries and 21 Indian states are expected to participate in the championship, making it one of the largest squash events ever hosted in Chhattisgarh. The tournament carries a prize purse of $2,000 and is expected to attract national and global attention to the state’s growing sports infrastructure.Speaking at the logo launch ceremony, Sao said Chhattisgarh was steadily emerging as a hub for national sporting events, adding that hosting international-standard competitions would provide local athletes with valuable exposure and opportunities to compete against top players.Senior officials of the Chhattisgarh Squash Association, including Vishnu Kumar Srivastava and Rahul Sahu, were present at the event. They voiced confidence that the event would help promote squash in the state and strengthen Chhattisgarh’s position on the national and international sports map.About 50 players from Chhattisgarh are expected to participate in the tournament.The Eastern Slam 2026 is tipped not only to provide a significant boost to the state’s sporting ecosystem, but also offer local talents a rare opportunity to compete alongside leading national and international talent on home turf, officials said.