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India Hosts Elite World Squash Refereeing Course Led by Top Welsh Official

The Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) is hosting a World Squash Officiating Refereeing Course at the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai from March 31 to April 4, 2026. The course will be led by Roy Gingell from Wales, one of only two referees globally holding the highest WSO Level 5 certification. Approximately 25 of India's top referees, selected based on strict eligibility criteria, will participate in the workshop to elevate national officiating standards. The initiative coincides with selection matches for the Asian Junior Individual Championships, providing practical evaluation opportunities for the attendees.

Key Points: World Squash Officiating Refereeing Course 2026 in Chennai

  • Elite training for 25 top Indian referees
  • Led by WSO Level 5 referee Roy Gingell
  • Aim to align Indian officiating with global standards
  • Course includes live match officiating practice
2 min read

SRFI to host World Squash Officiating Refereeing Course in Chennai

SRFI hosts a World Squash Officiating Refereeing Course in Chennai, led by WSO Level 5 referee Roy Gingell, to train India's top officials.

"The WSO pathway provides a widely recognised framework for referee training, emphasising rules interpretation, match control, decision-making, and player management. - SRFI"

Chennai, March 31

The Squash Rackets Federation of India, supported by the Sports Authority of India, will host a World Squash Officiating Refereeing Course from March 31 to April 4, 2026, at the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai.

Approximately 25 of India's top referees will attend the workshop. This group features officials currently officiating at national championships and PSA tournaments in India, as well as promising referees recognised by SRFI for potential advancement within the World Squash Officiating pathway.

Participants were selected based on well-defined eligibility criteria, including active participation in SRFI national ranking events, completion of WSO Level 1-3 certifications, and a proven ability to officiate at PSA- and World Squash Federation-sanctioned events.

Roy Gingell from Wales will lead the course. He is an internationally recognised referee and educator affiliated with the World Squash Officiating programme. As a WSO Level 5 Referee, the highest certification worldwide, Gingell is one of only two referees globally with this credential. He has officiated at major international events and plays a vital role in referee training and evaluation programs run by the World Squash Federation (WSF) and the Professional Squash Association (PSA).

The Indian Squash Academy, a leading squash facility in the country, will host the workshop. It features an all-glass show court and several singles and doubles courts, creating a perfect environment for both classroom learning and practical match practice.

India is hosting more national ranking tournaments, PSA events, and international competitions than ever before. As the level of play improves, the demand for qualified referees grows. The WSO pathway provides a widely recognised framework for referee training, emphasising rules interpretation, match control, decision-making, and player management.

This initiative aims to support the ongoing growth of referees in India by aligning local officiating standards with international best practices. Additionally, the workshop will take place alongside the selection matches for the Asian Junior Individual Championships, providing participants with the opportunity to officiate live games under expert supervision and receive practical evaluation.

This is the second time SRFI is hosting a WSO refereeing course, after last year's programme led by Marko Podgoršek.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Great initiative by SRFI and SAI. As we host more PSA events, we need referees who are on par with international standards. The practical evaluation during the Asian Junior selection matches is a brilliant idea. Wishing all the participants the very best!
V
Vikram M
While this is a positive step, I hope the selection process was completely transparent. Sometimes these "well-defined criteria" can be vague. It's crucial that the most deserving referees, not just the well-connected ones, get this golden opportunity for advancement.
R
Rohit P
Chennai becoming a hub for squash! First the academy, now this high-level course. This will directly benefit our players too - better referees mean fairer matches and a better learning environment. Kudos to the federation.
S
Sarah B
Interesting read. The structure of the WSO pathway seems very professional. Having a clear training and certification framework is so important for any sport's development. Hope the knowledge trickles down to state and district levels after this.
K
Karthik V
Only 25 referees? The article says India is hosting more events than ever. While quality is key, we also need quantity. SRFI should plan more such courses across different zones - maybe in Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata next time. The demand is surely there.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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