Sri Lanka’s Waqil and Britain’s Sharp Clash for PSA Satellite Tour Title
Following editorial review, the PSA Satellite Tour 2026 has reached its final stage with Sri Lanka’s Waqil M. Shamil and Britain’s Aion Sharp securing spots in the championship match. In the semifinals, Waqil defeated Malaysia’s Nitish Manimaran 3–1, while Sharp overcame Sri Lanka’s Navindu Lakman with the same scoreline. Nepal’s Pasang Blon and Naina Bahadur Magar also secured victories over Bangladesh’s Abdul Sikdar Sayem and Rakesh Pariyar, respectively, both with 3–1 results. Kathmandu, 9 Bhadra.
At the Squash Cover Hall in Satdobato, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Satellite Tour 2026 is underway, organized by the Nepal Squash Rackets Association. In today’s semifinals, Sri Lanka’s Waqil M. Shamil secured his place in the final by defeating Malaysia’s Nitish Manimaran 3–1 in sets. Waqil won the first two sets comfortably, 11–5 and 11–3. Although Nitish fought back by taking the third set 11–7, Waqil sealed the match with an 11–9 win in the fourth set.
In the other semifinal, Britain’s Aion Sharp defeated Sri Lanka’s Navindu Lakman 3–1. Sharp claimed the first set 11–5 and edged out a competitive 14–12 victory in the second set. Navindu responded by winning the third set 11–7, but Sharp regained control with an 11–9 win in the fourth to advance to the final. The upcoming final match will feature Waqil versus Sharp competing for the title, while the third-place contest will be between Nitish and Navindu. Tournament director Rupakdas Tamrakar announced that matches for ranks 5 to 14 will take place tomorrow morning, followed by the third-place playoff and final at 4 PM.
In today’s matches for ranks 9 through 12, Nepal’s Pasang Blon defeated Bangladesh’s Abdul Sikdar Sayem 3–1. After losing the first set 8–11, Pasang mounted a strong comeback to claim the next three sets by scores of 11–6, 11–7, and 11–5. Likewise, in the match for 15th and 16th place, Nepali player Naina Bahadur Magar triumphed over Rakesh Pariyar 3–1. Naina lost the first set 7–11 but bounced back to win the following sets 11–6, 11–2, and 11–8. Earlier, in the 9th to 12th place matches, Italy’s Renzo Endorno defeated India’s Anamay Rungta 3–0 with straightforward scores of 11–6, 11–7, and 11–6.
The PSA Satellite Tour is a significant event that offers emerging squash players the opportunity to gain international experience and valuable ranking points. The ongoing tournament in Nepal attracts players from South Asia, Europe, and other regions. Not only does it provide Nepalese athletes with the chance to compete against world-class opponents, but it also helps establish Nepal’s position on the global squash map. The Nepal Squash Rackets Association has recently initiated various programs aimed at developing and promoting squash throughout the country. The Satellite Tour is providing international-level competition on Nepalese soil and valuable exposure for young local talents like Pasang Blon and Naina Bahadur Magar.