Sports
Regular Squash Tournament Delights Ex-Player
One of the country’s
foremost squash players, Tunde Ajagbe has said that the monthly tournament organised by the players association has improved the lot of the players, competition-wise.
Ajagbe, who made the remark in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, called for well-meaning individuals to partner with the body to sponsor their monthly programme.
It would be recalled that the Professional Squash Players Association of Nigeria (PSPAN), was formed on November 25, 2012 in Lagos by squash players, to organise regular competitions for players.
The players had to resort to the move to act as a stop gap measure against the backdrop of a near absence of squash competitions on the country’s squash circuit.
“Our monthly tournament has helped us a great deal, because the competition is very stiff now and it’s difficult to predict who would win or lose.
“Now, anybody that feels he is at his or her peak may be disappointed, because all the players have stepped up their game, so it’s not business as usual,’’ Ajagbe said.
When asked his views on making the tournament a weekly competition, Ajagbe told newsmen that it would be a welcome development.
He added that with more sponsors, it was possible to hold the tournament weekly.
“Yes, it will be better if we can play weekly, but I also understand that more sponsors will not hurt.
“It will certainly help us; I’m sure that our executive will not relent,” Ajagbe added.
Ajagbe has recorded the highest number of victories at the PSPAN’s monthly tournaments.
The monthly championship usually holds on the last Saturday of every month at the Apapa Club.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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