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.