By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
The seventh edition of the Ex-Professionals in Diaspora Junior Squash Championship has ended in Abuja with stakeholders applauding the initiative for promoting grassroots development and creating opportunities for Nigeria’s next generation of squash players.
The championship, featuring Under-11, Under-13 and Under-17 boys’ and girls’ categories, was held in Abuja for the first time after six previous editions in Lagos, attracting more than 85 young players from across the country.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Comptroller Haniel Haddison, Vice President of the Nigeria Squash Federation and tournament sponsor, described the initiative as a major contribution to the development of young Nigerians through sport.
Haddison said the participation of almost 100 youngsters demonstrated the importance of stakeholders complementing government efforts in developing sports, while commending the Ex-Pros in the Diaspora for consistently giving back to the game.
He stressed that taking the championship to Abuja was also significant in spreading squash development beyond the traditional strongholds in southern Nigeria.
Also speaking, Adekunle Adebiyi, Secretary of the Nigerian Squash Players in the Diaspora, organiser and sponsor of the tournament, described the successful completion of the championship as fulfilling.
Adebiyi disclosed that the tournament cost more than ₦10 million, adding that the organisers’ priority was to ensure that every participating child was catered for.
He said the Ex-Pros would continue to improve the championship despite economic challenges, while revealing that future editions could be taken to other parts of the country, including the Southeast or Kano.
Former Nigerian and North American champion Segun Maku expressed optimism that Nigeria could produce players capable of making an impact on the international stage within the next five to ten years.
Maku, who introduced all-round mobile squash to Africa, said the growing emphasis on grassroots development was encouraging and disclosed plans to promote opportunities that would allow young squash players to combine education with sport.
He also revealed his intention to use his international connections to help talented Nigerian players gain admission into top universities in the United States.
For Engineer Iniobong Jacob, the growth of squash among young people is about more than competition, with his academy in Abuja using the sport as a platform for mentoring and character development.
Jacob said the academy, which started from a private squash court, now has about 47 children playing the sport, with some coming from disadvantaged backgrounds.
He called for stronger collaborations, better coaching and improved equipment to help Nigerian players progress from the African level to the global stage.
Meanwhile, Jonah Attah, Technical Director of the Nigeria Squash Federation and Vice Chairman of the African Squash Federation, said the Abuja edition had surpassed the expectations of the organisers.
Attah noted that more than 85 players participated, including 33 from the FCT, 13 from Plateau and 11 from Kaduna, describing the turnout as evidence of the growing interest in squash in northern Nigeria.
He attributed the development partly to the federation’s grassroots roadmap and said the technical quality displayed by the young players showed that Nigeria was moving closer to international standards.
Attah, who was part of the Nigerian coaching team at the World Junior Team Championship in Canada, called for greater support from government and other stakeholders to enable the country’s young squash players to compete successfully and win medals internationally.
The championship ended with a renewed commitment from the Ex-Pros in the Diaspora and the Nigeria Squash Federation to strengthen grassroots development and take the tournament to more regions across the country.
