The Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), with support from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), is set to organize a World Squash Officiating (WSO) Refereeing Course at the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai from March 31 to April 4, 2026. Around 25 top referees from India will participate in the workshop, including officials currently overseeing national championships and PSA tournaments in the country. These referees, identified by SRFI for their potential in the World Squash Officiating pathway, were selected based on specific eligibility criteria.
Roy Gingell from Wales, an internationally recognized referee and educator associated with the World Squash Officiating program, will lead the course. Gingell, holding the prestigious WSO Level 5 Referee certification, is among the two referees globally with this distinction. The Indian Squash Academy, known for its state-of-the-art facilities, will host the workshop, offering a conducive environment for theoretical learning and practical training sessions on its all-glass show court and multiple singles and doubles courts.
India’s increasing involvement in national ranking tournaments, PSA events, and international competitions has raised the demand for qualified referees. The WSO pathway, focusing on rules interpretation, match control, decision-making, and player management, serves as a recognized platform for referee training. By aligning local officiating standards with global best practices, this initiative aims to enhance the quality of referees in India. The workshop will coincide with the selection matches for the Asian Junior Individual Championships, providing participants with the chance to officiate live games under expert supervision and receive practical assessments.
This marks the second time SRFI is hosting a WSO refereeing course, following last year’s program led by Marko Podgoršek.
