Sports
Squash Players Seek Overhaul Of Board
Some squash fans yesterday called for a change in leadership of the Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF), alleging that the outgoing administration led by its President, Femi Ajagbe, performed poorly.
They spoke in Lagos against the backdrop of the National Sports Commission (NSC’s) directive that elections into the National Sports Federation would commence in April, with zonal elections.
A former national player, Friday Omeben, told Tidesports that the outgoing administration had not performed well.
“His tenure was not quite successful because he did not initiate any competition since those are part of the indices used in assessing performance.
“We need somebody who knows squash and has a passion for it; it’s only in this country that those who are not sportsmen take over the helms of affairs in sports associations.
“If you ask some aspirants for the office where squash was first played, they may not know that it was first played in England in 1967. It’s a shame,” Omeben said.
Tunji Agbeleye, the proprietor, Agbeleye Squash Academy, said the outgoing president lacked administrative skills which rendered his tenure ineffective.
“He failed to run the federation effectively, which translated into his inability to demonstrate good leadership.
“To be a federation’s president, one has to have the impetus. You have to know people and associate with them. Ajagbe didn’t know enough individuals and corporate organisations to support him,’’ he said.
The country’s number one female player, Longdie Dashback, told Tidesports that the fact that squash was not growing shows that the federation had derailed from its primary objective.
“The fact that squash is not growing shows that something is wrong. Take for instance in 2010, I went for the Africa Senior Championships in South Africa and was not given any recognition.
“Players are not encouraged and there are no competitions, only the Lagos State Government organises some annual tournaments.
“What has the federation done for the growth of the sport? Nothing! We just hope to get a leader that has the interest of the sport at heart,” Dashback said.
Sodiq Taiwo, another one-time ranked player, said that the outgoing president did not deserve a second chance because of his inability to secure sponsors.
“They are just there doing nothing, now it is the players that look for sponsors and organise tournaments which should not be in a sane federation.
“Even if they can’t organise tournaments for us, what about grassroots development programmes? We want fresh people with new ideas that can be beneficial to us,” Taiwo said.
President, Professional Squash Players of Nigeria Association (PSPNA), Seun Peters, said that irrespective of the result of the proposed elections, the association would be supported.
“We are going to work with anybody that becomes the president and his board,’’ he said.
When contacted, Ajagbe said that the allegations against him were unfounded as squash under him was one of the most vibrant federations.
He said that it was only natural for some individuals to rate other people’s performance poorly.
Ajagbe said that he became the Vice-President of Africa Squash Association based on his achievements as president of the federation and urged his critics to be objective.
“Our federation has taken part in international competitions for the past three years, a feat that most federations could not achieve.
“You can’t do it all, so, it is natural for people to complain. I am not perturbed, being the vice president in Africa shows that outsiders appreciate and recognise my efforts.
“I love criticism, it makes one better as long as it is constructive,” Ajagbe added.
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, in Rivers State, will be at the centre stage on Wednesday as the VC Cup final, both male and female categories will be played at the prestigious Stadium in the school.
The both final matches promises to be exciting, as arrangements have been concluded to watch one of the best VC football Cup finals in the history.
VC Cup tournament is an annual sporting event that involves all students in various facilities.
According to the Chief coach of the University football team, David Egbiri, the female will final will kick off 2pm between faculty of Human Kinetics and Management Sciences, while the male will kick off by 4pm between Social Science and Natural Applied Science
Egbiri, who was former coach of Abiola Babe FC and Concord FC, lauded the Vice Chancellor. Prof. Okechukwu Onuchukwu for releasing funds on sports development, saying that he has never also failed the School in terms of infrastructural development.
“The VC who is also a sports personality has not failed to release funds for this tournament, apart from that he has not also disappointed in terms of developing the school in all ramifications.
“I want to say that my major reason for accepting to coach the school football team is to develop the youth through sports”, Coach Egbiri said.
The former Eagle Cement Coach, explained that he was not encouraged the way and manner the young ones are going about sports because there is no discipline and so much quest for quick money.
” Honestly, the way young players are looking money was just too much. Looking for short cuts always to make money that is more reason some of them don’t go far and end up badly
” In our days we first of all think about how to make name and we are passionate about it. I went to school and saw myself in sports, while my initial intention was to read electrical engineering” he stated.
Tonye Orabere
The Delta State Sports Commission has come under scrutiny following the state’s disappointing performance at the just-concluded National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, where Lagos dethroned Delta to clinch top spot.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, visibly displeased with both the poor outing of Team Delta and the organizational lapses witnessed during the Games, summoned an emergency meeting with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) immediately after the closing ceremony.
Delta, which had dominated the NYG by finishing first in the last eight editions, only managed second place this time — a result the governor described as “totally unacceptable,” especially given the state’s significant investment in the event.
According to a reliable source privy to the meeting, Governor Oborevwori expressed deep disappointment, stressing that his administration had provided all necessary support to the Sports Commission and the LOC to ensure Delta retained its traditional top position.
In a decisive move, the governor demoted his Executive Assistant on Sports and former Director-General of the Sports Commission, Festus Owhojero, under whose leadership the Games were organized. Owhojero was reassigned from Executive Assistant (EA) to Senior Special Assistant (SSA) with immediate effect.
The governor’s action, our source revealed, reflects his zero-tolerance stance on incompetence and underperformance within his administration. Mr. Owhojero thus becomes the first high-profile casualty of the governor’s resolve to reposition sports in Delta State.
Furthermore, Oborevwori directed the Sports Commission and LOC officials to submit a detailed report on the Games, outlining what went wrong and providing recommendations for improvement. The governor emphasized the need for urgent reforms to restore Delta’s dominance, especially as the state is set to host the next edition of the Games under an existing memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The Nigeria Football Federation has distanced itself from a post-match statement that criticised some Super Eagles players following the team’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The statement, issued by the NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, singled out forward Cyriel Dessers and captain William Troost-Ekong for criticism.
It accused Dessers of being sluggish and faulted Ekong for the own goal that gave Bafana Bafana the lead.
However, NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, said on Wednesday that the statement did not represent the official position of the Federation.
“I saw the release just like everyone else did. Nobody in the Federation is happy with it,” Sanusi said.
“The NFF did not authorise that statement. We have great respect for all the players. Blaming an individual for a team result is unfair.”
He added that the Federation regards the South Africa match as a collective effort and will not support attempts to scapegoat any player.
“When we win, it’s a team victory. When we lose, it’s also collective. No player should be singled out,” Sanusi said.
He described the targeted criticism of Troost-Ekong as unjustified, noting that the defender had previously been celebrated as the Most Valuable Player at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.
“It was an unfortunate own goal. His intention was to clear the ball. Anyone who knows football understands that such things happen,” he said..
Sanusi also expressed confidence in the team’s unity, revealing that efforts were ongoing to regroup and refocus ahead of the remaining qualifiers and AFCON.
“Our house is in order. We’re preparing for the rest of the qualifiers and the AFCON in Morocco,” he said.
“There’s no problem with our players or coaching crew. Our relationship remains cordial. The government and the NFF are proud of the players’ efforts.”
The Federation had initially praised Calvin Bassey for his equalising goal and lamented the team’s failure to convert second-half chances.
But Sanusi made it clear that internal disciplinary action would be taken over the unauthorised release.
“I can assure you the NFF will take action on the matter,” he said.
Nigeria currently sit third in Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers with 11 points from eight matches. South Africa lead the group with 17 points.
The Super Eagles must now win their remaining games against Lesotho and Benin Republic and hope other results go their way to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.