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Tag: squash

  • Tough  battles expected at Lagos Prime Atlantic Squash Open

    Tough  battles expected at Lagos Prime Atlantic Squash Open

    Apart from the mouth-watering N2m prize money, national champions Onaopemipo Adegoke and Rofiat Abulazeez will be competing against other top players for the Professional Squash Association (PSA) ranking points at stake at the 2nd Prime Atlantic Squash Open which served yesterday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

    Adegoke who dominated the maiden edition of the tournament is gearing up to retain his title as well as shore up his PSA ranking.

    “I hope I can repeat my 2022 performance again this year but I know it is not going to be easy because everybody is playing well. After winning last weekend’s tournament, my ranking moved from 180 to over 160 and I hope I can win again to continue to rise up the ranking,” Adegoke told NationSport.

    However, the former national junior champion admitted that the regular tournaments being staged across the country has indeed helped their world ranking fortunes as some of them are now climbing up the world rating.

    “I am happy that this year, we have opportunity to play more tournaments which have really helped our ranking and for me, this is a good development for the sport and the players. We hope this can also help us ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games which had included squash among the events listed for the games in Los Angeles, United States,” the 24-year-old added.

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    For the Chairman of Lagos State Squash Association (LSSA), Tomi Falase, the tournament would help the young players to showcase their talents as well as pick up ranking points.

     “This is part of promoting squash as well as developing our players,” he said.“We have been having an excellent series of tournaments back-to-back, after the international classics, which we brought players from about nine countries, UK, France, Germany and India amongst others.”

    ”From the tournament, our players have been able to showcase themselves, and we hope that this tournament will help them to shape up for major international tournaments as well as improve their ranking fortunes,” he added.

    He thanked the management of Prime Atlantic for their unflinching support while charging other corporate bodies and private individuals to key into an initiative that tends to promote a sane society and giving platform to young men and women to thrive in the world of sports.

    The five-day tournament with over N2m prize money ends on Saturday November 4.

  • 1st Bolatito Adeyemo squash classic hits semi-finals

    1st Bolatito Adeyemo squash classic hits semi-finals

    The battle for the coveted trophies at the maiden Bolatito Adeyemo Squash Classics enters the semi-finals stage as organisers lauded the players’ display at the two-day tournament.

    The tournament served-off at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere Lagos as eight top seeds in men and eight top seeds in women were featured in the tournament.

    Among the players in race for the highest prize include Onaopemipo Adegoke, Gabriel Olufunmilayo, Kehinde Samuel, Abel Shedrack, Faruq Sulaimon, Samson Ashade, Dominion Utukpe and Temiloluwa Adegoke.

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    In the women’s category, the top seeds are Rophiat AbdulAzeez, Busayo Olatunji, Blessing Isaac, Favour Utukpe Mistura Durosinlorun, Udeme James Titilayo Akinleye and Jadesola Olatunji.

    Seun Jayeola, the sponsor of the tournament expressed satisfaction in the quality of play.

    “This brought back good memories of when I was a player. This beautiful game has improved tremendously. I’m amazed by the crop of players we have now. They have the potential to rule the world. God willing I intend to keep this going. This is a legacy in honour of mama.

    “I’m looking forward to the semi-finals and final promises to be fun for the spectators. Viewers will be treated to the best of squash,” the former national player said.

    Following the conclusion of the group matches, Onaopemipo will play against Samuel in the semi-finals while Olufunmilayo will settle a score with Shedrack. For the women, Abudulazeez will play against Jadesola while Durosinlorun will take on Isaac in the semi-finals.

  • 1st Ex-Squash Pros Diaspora tourney holds Nov 16

    1st Ex-Squash Pros Diaspora tourney holds Nov 16

     

    THE first edition of the Ex-Squash Pros Diaspora Under-13 and Under-16 National Squash Tournament will hold from 16th to 18th November, 2017 at the Squash Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere,  Lagos.

    Chairman of Ex-Squash Pro Diaspora, Femi Solomon Shittu, disclosed to The Nation in Lagos that the aim of the competition is to give the young players the platform to showcase their talents and abilities.

    “Those days when we used to play, we move from one state to the other, but since then, we’ve noticed squash has taken the back seat, that is why the Ex-Squash Pros Diaspora is taking the bull by the horn by bringing back those glory days and engaging our kids with this kind of competition.”

    President of the Nigeria Squash Federation, Boye Oyerinde, said the development of Squash from the grassroot is topmost on the agenda of the new board.

    “The Technical Committee of the federation is working on grassroot development programmes. We are also trying to get the database of squash facilities in the country. All these are ways to reposition the sport in the country,” Oyerinde said.

    Tournament Director, Demola Ganiyu, said the competition is open to every kid in the country adding that free accommodation and feeding will be provided for all the participating players.

    “We have invited international referees to come and officiate and we will be very strict with the certificates presented by the players. So if you are coming to this tournament, you must come with original certificate. We want to start presenting U15 players at world championships, that is our objective,” said Ganiyu who also doubles as Osun State Director of Sports.

    Former Nigerian top Squash player, Kunle Adebiyi now based in the United Kingdom said organizing such competition is also a way of giving back to the sport.

    “It’s just the joy of giving back and people have different ways of giving.  I have committed a certain percentage of my salary in doing this. This is not the first time, I started since 1995. So when you talk about how we can sustain it, we have a forum and we all meet now and then to see what we can do”, he submitted

  • 128 players set for Ex Pro Squash Tourney

    128 players set for Ex Pro Squash Tourney

     

     

    About 128 players from 19 states are expected to take part in the first edition of the of the Ex Pro Squash tournament for Under 16 and Under 19 players at the Teslim Balogun Stadium from April 27 to 29.

    The tournament, which is the first to be organized by former players, is expected to salvage once exciting sport and give hope to the numerous young players who play the game. The organisers have also said that participants might surpass the 128 being expected at the championship.

    Tournament director, Sunday Wilson Egberipou said the tournament, which is a developmental programme, would get bigger every year as the former players have decided to make the tournament an annual event.

    Egberipou, added that foreign players might participate in subsequent tournament as the organisers hope to make it an international competition. “We are working hard to make this first edition a success and all hands are on deck to give back to this great sport that brought some of us to lime-light.

    “Yes, we will surely welcome foreign players in future tournament as it is our dream to make the event an international one, he noted.

  • Lagos Squash Classics champion laments dearth of regular competitions

    Lagos Squash Classics champion laments dearth of regular competitions

     

    Edward Bettle, the U-19 champion at the 2015 Lagos Squash Classics, said on Monday the absence of regular competitions had affected his skills.

    The Calabar-based player, who won the international competition 2-3 against Temiloluwa Adegoke, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    “I can’t remember the last time I attended a competition, it has been long and it’s not good for players.

    “These days, I only train for fitness; I hardly get invitations for competitions. I now play squash for leisure.

    “At this level in my career, I should be playing various tournaments that will make me a better player,’’ Bettle told NAN.

    Asked if his current location (Calabar) was not a limiting factor, he said that his location had never been an issue.

    “I don’t think so, though Lagos players enjoy the regular monthly competitions, which we don’t have in Calabar, but if there are competitions in any part of the country, I will be there if invited.

    “I’m not confined to Calabar, I can travel with the permission of my parents; my parents love what I’m doing and they approve of it,’’ he said.

    He said that besides squash, he was into music which had kept him busy.

  • Major General Yusuf squash tourney gets under way

    Major General Yusuf squash tourney gets under way

    As part of activities lined up to honour a member of the Nigerian Squash Federation, Major General Shehu Yusuf, who was recently elevated from a Brigadier-General, the Nigerian Squash Federation is organising a two-day tournament in Abuja.

    The president of the federation, Adamu Erena, said: “We decided to honour General Yusuf for his immense contributions to the development of squash in Nigeria.

    “The competition will take place at the Park B of the Abuja National Stadium with about thirty players drawn from the six geo-political zones of the country participating. It will hold from Friday to Saturday. We believe this will encourage not only the players, but others who are interested in the growth of the game.”

    Erena disclosed that there will be prize money for the top three placed players, while free acommodation and transport will be provided for all of the players.

    Erena also appealed to Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi and the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Gbenga Elegbeleye to use their good offices to restore squash as one of the events to be competed for at the forthcoming National Sports Festival in Calabar.

    He said: “We appeal to both the minister and the D-G to reconsider the decision to remove squash from the National Sports Festival. Squash is one of Nigeria’s fastest growing sports which needs to be encouraged among our kids. The festival is a good ground to develop the game, so, removing it will not help our development plans. We appeal that they have a rethink so that the game can be competed for in Calabar.”

     

  • Association says Ondo squash players performed creditably in 2013

    Association says Ondo squash players performed creditably in 2013

    The Ondo State Squash Association on Wednesday commended its players for their brilliant performances in the competitions they attended in 2013 and asked them to improve on them this year.

    The association’s coach, Ojo Aina, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure that the players “participated in many championships in 2013 and performed tremendously well in all.’’

    Some of the championships, he said, were the All Africa Senior Championships in Namibia and the Niger State Open. Others are the South West U-17 Championships in Ibadan and Cargolux U-17 Championships in Lagos.

    “There was no competition we went to without coming back with laurels. We even represented the country in Africa and we did well,’’ he said.

    Aina solicited the support of the private sector and government for the development of the game in the state in particular and Nigeria in general.

    The coach commended the association’s former chairman, Olusesan Fasesin, who is also known as Johnny Sports for providing the association with various squash equipment.

    He also appealed to the state government to rebuild the squash court at the Akure Township Stadium, saying it needed to be upgraded from wall to glass.

  • Khan wins O’ Trafford squash rumble

    Khan wins O’ Trafford squash rumble

    It was indeed an action-packed moment for players and squash enthusiasts who converged at the O’ Trafford Squash Club, Ikoyi, on Tuesday for a tournament organised by the club to celebrate Nigeria’s 53rd independence anniversary and also honour Chuma Anosike who was recently appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of Namibia.

    After hours of grueling high class games, Shahid Khan emerged champion, edging out Baba Randy 11/7 in a final characterised by excellent display of great squash skills.

    Though Khan won, Segun Maku, former North American and former Nigerian number one squash player, was the cynosure of all eyes at the tournament. Maku handed down defeat to 11 players in quick succession and gathered 145 points.

    It was a herculean task for the number one player as he had to cancel 28 points awarded against him for each match before moving on to win. Despite that, he shone like a million stars to the admiration of all. His reign was, however, ended by Sope Robert who took him out in a very tight encounter.

    Larry Ettah, the Chairman of the O’ Trafford Squash Club and Group Managing Director of UAC of Nigeria Plc, expressed satisfaction with the high turnout of players for the tournament and commended them for their spirit of sportsmanship.

    “I am impressed with the level of participation and the quality of games played. It is very encouraging seeing the squash fraternity coming together to celebrate Nigeria and also honour one of its own. Everyone put up very good performances. This is commendable,” Ettah said.

    Khan got $700, while Maku was rewarded with $400 in addition to other prizes for their efforts. All the players who took part in the tournament were also presented with prizes for participating.

  • 1st Sam & Arit Udo-Akagha squash tourney serves off

    1st Sam & Arit Udo-Akagha squash tourney serves off

    The first edition of Sam & Arit Udo-Akagha squash tournament commenced at the squash section of the Lagos Country Club yesterday with an impressive turnout of participants.

    Sponsored by the Udo-Akagha family in honour of their late parents who were squash players and active members of the Lagos Country Club squash section who helped in the development of the game during their lifetime, the tournament is aimed at promoting the game of squash and building enthusiasm towards it in addition to encouraging healthy and active lifestyle among members of the section.

    Declaring the tournament open, Joe Idudu, an associate of Sam Udo-Akagha, eulogised him and his wife Arit, for their contributions towards the development of the game of squash and urged the children, three of who are active players and who also get involved in all activities that have to do with the development of squash, to follow the footsteps of their parents by making their impact felt.

    Taye Ige, Lagos Country Club squash section Chairman, lauded the sponsors for making history as a family that passes the passion for the game of squash from one generation to another. This, he said, is worthy of emulation.

    This edition of the tournament is closed but according to the sponsors, it will evolve into a big tournament in subsequent editions involving different categories including youths, veterans and professionals. The tournament ends on Friday, September 27.