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Varish Gahlot
05Community & Initiatives

Making room for others.

Volunteer work and initiatives that make sport and opportunity more accessible, and the time spent helping other people improve.
manifestsquash.com
The Manifest Squash website

manifestsquash.com, captured October 2026

01 · 2024 to present

Manifest
Squash

Co-Founder and Initiator

Partner facilities
6
Partner facilities
States
4
States: NJ, PA, MD, NY

Squash is expensive to start. Coaching, equipment and court time all cost money, and that keeps many young players out of the sport. Manifest Squash works on those barriers.

I co-founded the initiative and am building a network of six partner facilities across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New York, offering free coaching, mentorship and equipment access. The coaches and volunteers are named on the initiative website. The goal now is to expand the network and reach more young players.

manifestsquash.com (opens in a new tab)

02 · 2024 to present

Special Olympics New Jersey

Volunteer

100+ hours · 15+ events across multiple sports

I have volunteered more than 100 hours across 15 or more Special Olympics New Jersey events, supporting athletes and helping competitions run smoothly.

The experience led me to write Our True Races Within, a memoir about the athletes and the moments behind the competition. Its royalties are directed to Special Olympics New Jersey.

Our True Races Within →

03 · 2023 to present

Mentoring my sister's squash

Family responsibility and mentorship

400+ hours · alongside her professional coaches

Since 2023 I have contributed more than 400 hours to my younger sister's competitive squash development, alongside her professional coaches: practice drills, movement training, match-video review, tactical planning and tournament preparation.

During this period she reached a U.S. Junior Silver Championships final, won four Silver and two Gold titles, competed in the U.S. Junior Open and reached a U.S. junior ranking of No. 17. Those results are hers; my part was the practice and preparation around them.

04 · Grade 10

Princeton Junior Squash

Volunteer Coach

Junior development sessions · Princeton, New Jersey

Supported junior development sessions in Princeton, New Jersey, working with younger players on footwork and shot technique.

I also serve as a Student Ambassador for Alphaway, supporting international students with housing and relocation resources. See Experience.