Squash: I’m optimistic Nigeria will go far globally — Falase

Tomi Falase, Chairman, Lagos State Squash Association (LSSA), says he is optimistic that Nigerian players will go far in squash globally with their brilliant performances.

Falase said this at the 10th edition of the Lagos State Government Prime Atlantic Squash Open 2024 which kicked-off at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Monday.

Supreme News reports that the winners of the tournament will be rewarded with N5 million.

“We are rewarding the winners with N5 million to encourage and appreciate them on their efforts and we are also putting many tournament in place for them to keep them in form for future international tourney.

“These players keep growing in numbers with excellent performances, year in, year out we set targets and we are able to deliver the set targets effectively.

“In my view, Nigeria will dominate squash worldwide as we are keeping them abreast of foreign training, and very soon we will start hearing Nigerian names globally in squash competitions,” he said.

Falase said that the competition was well scheduled to really prepare the players for the tournament.

The LSSA chairman added that he was sure that the Nigerian squash team would perform effectively when the sport was officially registered at the World Olympics.

“We are getting them ready, both male and female, for the sport festival because this tournament is just like training for them.

“We have seen remarkable progress in the squash game generally especially at the junior ones and we are working towards improving them to the Olympics standard.

“We have top-ranked players like Gabriel Olufunmilayo, the winner of the 2024 Yellow Dots Squash Open in Lagos, Kehinde Samuel, and Abel Shedrack. These are the top-ranked players in Nigeria in the men's category.

“While we also have Busayo Olatunji and Rofiat Abdulazeez, top ranked players in the women category and other upcoming players.

“It’s a pity squash is not yet registered at the Olympics but in 2028 I am sure we will partake effectively.

“Presently, one of our top ranking players is playing back to back abroad since January.

“We are also grooming other players so as to raise a formidable team for Nigeria, as our expectations are always high,” he said.

One of the players, Busayo Olatunji, said that her target was to win the tournament so as to improve her world ranking.

According to her, continuous wins in tournaments will boosther world ranking and allow her to qualify for international tournaments.

“I have targets of winning this tournament because I want to maintain my championship here in Nigeria, at the same improve my world ranking,” she said.

Supreme News reports that Shedrack Abel beat Usman Baruwa 3-0, while Suliaman Faraq also beat Obadiah Ishaya 3-0.

Olawale Asade defeated Victor Daniel 3-0 as Famous Apinowei walked over Segun Suliaman, all in the senior men category.