Top squash clubs in Lagos will compete in the OJ Mbonu Special Birthday Squash Tournament set to run for two days starting from today at the luxurious squash courts of O’Trafford Squash Club situated at the Officers Mess, 81 Division, Nigerian Army in Marina, Lagos.
According to the organisers, the tournament is being specially dedicated to Dr Okechukwu John Mbonu, a corporate czar of no mean standing whose glorious career traversed the Nigerian Breweries, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and UACN Plc , for his years of meritorious service to the club as a founding member, as well as for his “invaluable contributions” to the development of the sport in the country.
The Squash squash section of Ikoyi Club 1938 and Lagos Country Club will join the host team, O’Trafford Squash Club and the Yellow Dots Squash Club in competing for prizes in the Men’s, Veterans’ and the Super Veterans’ categories during the 2-day event.
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The highlight of the event will, of course, be a special focus on the super veterans’ match-ups in obvious deference to the celebrant, and guest of honour.
The O’Trafford Squash Club has continued to gain in stature since its founding through the ingenuity and accommodation of Obong Larry Ephraim Ettah, then GMD/CEO, UACN Plc. What began as a very informal gathering of squash-playing friends and acquaintances has today become a veritable force in recreational squashing in Nigeria today.
The Club which will soon mark its 10th anniversary has regularly made its impact felt in the Nigerian Squash environment. Apart from regular sponsorship interventions in the programmes of the Nigerian Squash Federation, the Club has also socially impacted on its immediate environment.
And only a few months ago, it inaugurated the ‘Champions’ Challenge’, a super platform for eight highest ranked Nigerian players on the Professional Squash Association global grading system.
The maiden edition which was held in June this year, had four players in each Group and saw the Professional Squash Association (PSA) second ranked player and Nigeria’s number one, Onaopemipo Adegoke beating the country’s highest ranked PSA player, US-based Tunde Ajagbe in the semi-finals. Adegoke would later win the Tournament to the admiration of all.