LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT REFUNDS 145 FORMER SUBSCRIBERS OF EGAN HOUSING ESTATE
admin Stakeholders have hailed players and coaches for consistently improving their skills, especially as displayed at the fifth Expros Diaspora Squash Championships have applauded players and coaches for consistently improving their skills.
The fifth U-11, U-13 and U-16 championships was organised by the International Association of Ex-Squash Pros in Diaspora. It held between November 12 and 16 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State.
Regina Ogunjimi, a former number-one ranked female squash player in Nigeria, said the level of players has been mind-blowing.
“I am so proud of all the coaches and I’m impressed with what they have done with these players in terms of impact; it is very commendable, kudos to them.
“I will especially hail the U-11; they are impressive for their age; they are promising superstars,” she said.
On her impression on female squash, Ogunjimi said there has been great improvement compared to her time.
“Women are doing great. Men have always been faster, but I will say women in this generation are quite better than my own generation, so I’m in awe of these improvements,” she said.
Her husband, Segun Ogunjimi, a former number two ranked player in the country, said the players brought back nostalgic feelings, and added that they have what it takes to play internationally.
He said: “The performance of the players at the tournament is great, they are really performing well and the whole thing is reminding us of our old days when we used to play like this
“I can see that the coaches have done so well with these players, and this is good for the future of squash in the country, and we are enjoying every moment of it.
“We have the U-11, U-13 and the U-16, but the U-11 players from Kwara State, when you consider their age, have been fantastic.
“The age is being dominated by Kwara and Lagos players, and I think that’s because of the facilities and the encouragement they are getting from the stakeholders in Lagos.”
Winners will go home with rackets, sneakers and other equipment.
Tournament Director Seun Peters hoped that players will go far in squash globally with their brilliant performances at the tournament.
“In my view, Nigeria will dominate squash worldwide because we have the talent and the coaches are consistent and committed too. Take for instance my academy, Headwaters, has so many young talented players and I believe the future of squash in this country is bright,” he said.
For the U-11 girls, Setemi Adekunle crushed Fatimo Abudulateef 3-0 to qualify for the finals, while Suzan Balogun won Etimbuk Abraham 3-0.
For boys, Udo Favour defeated Greatness Olayinka 3-1, Wilson Imebong trashed Orezimena Iyeih-Omoefe 3-0.
For the U-13 girls, Khadijat Durosinlorun won Setemi Adekunle 3-1, while Grace Gana defeated Elizabeth Adebayo 3-1. And for the U-13 boys, Lanre Yusuf trashed Daniel Awe 3-0, Mohammed Azim dished Zubair Mogaji 3-0
In the U-16 category, Loveth Balogun defeated Elizabeth Adebayo 3-1 to qualify for the finals, Zainab Ishola cruised into the finals defeating Gift Ulisis 3-1
For boys with 3-0 win, Mathew Yusuf sent Benjamin Monday packing. In a very tough semifinal, Joshua Daniel was the last man standing having defeated Mictel Etuk-Udo 3-2.
