Support for Squash Athletes at Ex-Players in Diaspora

The 5th Ex-pros in Diaspora (National under-11, 13, 16) which featured dozens of promising squash talents reached a glorious conclusion on Saturday, November 16, in Lagos.

TOP MEDIA reports that the five-day event, powered by former Nigerian squash players in the diaspora and supported by the Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF), served as a youth development initiative.

In a keenly-contested final at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Matthew Yusuf, representing Lagos, emerged champion in the Under-16 boys final after seeing off the challenge of Joshua Daniel. Yusuf triumphed 3-2.

The female final produced same competitiveness, with Lagos’ Ishola Zainab defeating Loveth Balogun of Kwara state 3-2 (11/3,7/11,5/11, 11/7,11/9).

The Under-13 category also saw champions from Kwara state, dubbed the home of squash in Nigeria.

Speaking to TOP MEDIA after the finals, Oluwaseun Peters, the Tournament Director (TD), praised the level of the competition which he said “is getting better each year”.

He said: “At the 5th edition, the tournament has really brought out a lot of improvement and nurturing of junior players who are growing into seniors.

“The stiff competition among the participants shows that the level of the tournament is getting better each year.”

In the same vein, Kunle Adebiyi, a key squash stakeholder in diaspora, explained that talented young people abound in Nigeria, adding that they only need to be guided, nurtured, encouraged and supported to attain their goals.

His words:

“We are quite impressed with the level of performance of the players from the under 11 to the under 16, which shows our investment in grassroots squash development is yielding results to our delight.”

Check the full results of the finals below:

U-11 Girls Final

Suzan Balogun

Shetemi Adekunle

11/8,11/6,9/11,11/9. 3-1

U-11 Boys Final

Udo Favour Jesc

Wilson lmeobong Jesc

11/2,11/7,5/11,11/7. 3-1

U-13 Girls Final

Grace Gana (Kwara)

Khadijat Durosilorun (Kwara)