2 days ago
Velavan Senthilkumar Bets on Squash Despite Its Empty Pockets
Velavan Senthilkumar is a professional squash player from Chennai, India.
In June 2026, he won an important tournament in Budapest.
It was his 11th career title, but the whole tournament had only $43,500 in prize money.
Squash players often spend almost as much money traveling and training as they earn.
Senthilkumar even changed his university major so he could keep practicing and competing.
His family and other supporters helped him continue during difficult financial years.
Squash will be included in the 2028 Olympics, which may attract more sponsors and funding.
New government programs and Indian tournaments are also giving players more help.
Velavan Senthilkumar won his 11th title at a Copper event in Budapest in June 2026.
The tournament’s entire prize pool was $43,500, highlighting squash’s limited financial rewards.
Senthilkumar switched his Columbia University major to psychology to accommodate training and travel.
Professional squash players can spend $30,000 to $40,000 annually while earning relatively little.
Olympic inclusion, government funding and new Indian tournaments could improve squash’s financial prospects.
- Who
- Indian squash player Velavan Senthilkumar, along with competitors including Balázs Farkas, Eain Yow Ng and Veer Chotrani.
- What
- Senthilkumar won a Budapest Copper-level squash title, his 11th career title.
- Where
- Budapest, Hungary.
- When
- June 2026.
- Why
- The victory advanced Senthilkumar’s career while highlighting the financial challenges facing professional squash and the sport’s possible growth before its Olympic debut.
Financial Strain
Growing Opportunity
Can squash support professional careers?
Financial Strain
The sport offers modest prize money, while travel, accommodation, coaching and other expenses can consume or exceed a player’s earnings.
Growing Opportunity
Olympic inclusion, government assistance, corporate sponsorships and expanded Indian tournaments could create more sustainable opportunities.
How accessible is the sport?
Financial Strain
Squash courts are expensive to build, and the sport has traditionally been concentrated in private clubs such as the Bombay Gymkhana and Roshanara Club.
Growing Opportunity
Portable courts in public parks and events across Indian cities could expose more people to squash and broaden its audience.
Key facts
- Tournament prize pool
- $43,500 for the entire Budapest Copper-level draw
- Senthilkumar's final
- He defeated Hungary’s Balázs Farkas 11-4, 11-2, 11-3
- Career milestone
- The Budapest victory was Senthilkumar’s 11th title
- Annual touring costs
- A professional squash player may spend $30,000 to $40,000 per year
- PSA season prize money
- The PSA Tour distributed roughly $8.95 million during 2022-23
- Olympic milestone
- Squash will be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
- Indian government support
- Senthilkumar, Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh were added to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme in May 2024
Quotes
Velavan Senthilkumar
Indian professional squash player from Chennai
“Choose squash only if you truly love the sport, not for money or anything else. There’s no significant money to be made here. You’ll need to start with full pockets and expect them to be empty by the time you’re done.”
financialexpress.com
“A balance between academics and squash was very new and tough for me. There were different time slots where I could train. Managing academics and squash was pretty hard during university.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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