NSF Technically Director Wants Abuja squash Open Annually

The technical director of the Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF), Mr. Jonah Attah, has called the 2023 Abuja Squash Open to be an annual event.

Mr. Attah made this known during a press briefing on Tuesday at the Squash court of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

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The technical director added that the event, which is approved by the Premier Squash League (PSL), will help the players involved move up the ladder in the world rankings.

“The tournament itself is a welcomed idea, something that we’ve never seen before in this part of the country. It’s a tournament that will ensure we enhance and bring out more grassroots players, which is our main focus. The fact that players are coming from all parts of the country gives the local players up north the opportunity, some of them have not seen before. So, it’s like a double-edged sword, which we are excited about. We will be happy to see events like this coming up annually. The reason why other countries are doing well is the sustenance of tournaments like this. 

This is a satellite tournament and the reason why satellite tournaments are encouraged is that it’s a pathway for players to move up the ladder,” Mr. Attah explained.

Onaopemipo Adegoke, who is ranked 1st in the male category for Nigeria and 163rd in the world, also added his insight to the benefits of the squash championship. He said the tournament serves as a launching pad to play more competitions at the global stage.

Bala Sports Limited (BSL) MD, Bala Abubakar Adamu, said that their love for squash is what motivated them to partner with the NSF.

 “What really motivated us to take on this project is our personal love for squash,” he expressed.

Speaking about the mood of the players, Busayo Olatunji, who is ranked 200th in the world and 2nd in Nigeria, said, the players are excited as they see the tournament as the biggest squash championship in Nigeria.

 “All the players that participate in this tournament are really excited because this is the biggest tournament in Nigeria. So, everybody is happy,”  Olatunji shared.

Alh. Muazu Dahir, who is a member of the Abuja squash club, called for more sponsors in order to have more of the tournament in Abuja.

“We are very happy to have this kind of tournament in Abuja, as it is the first biggest tournament in Abuja, PSL ranking, and NSF tournament. We encourage the players more because we have not had this kind of tournament in a long time in Abuja. We need more sponsors to have this kind of tournament more in Abuja,” Alh. Muazu Dahir stated.

128 squash players are vying for the grand prize of ₦500,000 for both the male and female categories in the week-long championship, which started on November 27th and will end on December 2nd.