The Lagos Senior and Junior U-16 Squash Open Championship ended at the Squash Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, at the weekend, with Onapemipo Adegoke beating Olwafumilayo Gabriel 3-2 to win the men’s senior event.
At the tournament, which featured over 100 squash players from across the country, Busayo Olatunji also beat Udeme James 3-0 to win the Senior Women’s category, while Dominion Ukukpe outshone Daniel Nzei 3-1 to win the men’s junior event.
Mistura Durosilorun from Kwara State beat Delight Hallison from Akwa Ibom State to emerge the junior women’s title. Speaking at the event, Director General, Lagos State Sports Council, Oluwatoyin Gafar, said the event is part of programme put in place to develop sports in the state.
He said the Lagos State Sports Council is working out modalities to support talented youths in different sports to improve their skills and also get them more exposed through various international championships.
President of Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF), Boye Oyerinde, who was also present at the event, commended the Lagos State Squash Association and their sponsors, Prime Atlantic, for helping to revamp the sport at the grassroots level.
He added that more squash championships would be held this year in the country, including international rating events endorsed by the world body.
Earlier, Chairman, Lagos State Squash Association, Tomi Falase, revealed that the competition is aimed at attracting more sponsors to the sport.
“I am delighted that squash players across Nigeria attended the Lagos Squash Open. The Association organised the event to discover more talents at the grassroots and also exhibit them to corporate Nigeria and organisations for sponsorship.
“It is clear to everybody present that there are exceptional talents in squash that need sponsorship.
“We will organise more competitions this year to continue creating awareness in squash across Nigeria,” he said.
