The seventh edition of the Squash in Diaspora U-11, U-13 and U-17 Boys and Girls Tournament reached the semi-final stage in Abuja on Friday, with organisers describing the decision to move the competition from Lagos to the Federal Capital Territory as one of their “best decisions ever.”
The tournament, organised by the Nigerian Squash Players in the Diaspora, is being held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B, Abuja, marking the first time the competition has been staged outside Lagos after six previous editions in the commercial capital.
Speaking on the significance of the Abuja edition, Secretary of the Nigerian Squash Players in the Diaspora, Adekunle Adebiyi, said the impressive turnout had vindicated the decision to take the tournament to the North.
“To be honest, bringing this tournament to Abuja is one of the best decisions we have ever made,” Adebiyi said.
He explained that grassroots development had always been at the heart of the tournament, with the original plan being to move it around different parts of the country.
However, security concerns and other challenges kept the event in Lagos for several years.
Adebiyi said there were initially concerns that moving the tournament to Abuja might result in poor participation, but those fears were quickly dispelled as close to 100 young players turned up.
“We knew squash is thriving in the North; it is just that they lack support and exposure. So when we came here and saw almost 100 children, it was a blessing,” he said.
The secretary also praised the squash facilities at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, saying Abuja boasts facilities that are better than some of those used for competitions in the southern part of the country.
According to him, the excitement among the young participants has made the move to Abuja worthwhile, particularly because the organisers are determined to ensure that every child who takes part receives something and remains within the radar of the development programme.
Adebiyi said the Abuja tournament is only the beginning of a busy period for the young players, who will have several opportunities to compete in the coming weeks.
He disclosed that the children are expected to participate in Baba Obasanjo’s tournament next week, before taking part in another competition organised by his foundation in memory of his late mother.
The latter event will feature squash, tennis and badminton.
He said the schedule means the young athletes could participate in as many as four tournaments within one month.
“That is how we used to play during our own time. We moved from one location to another. So the fact that this is being replicated with four tournaments within a month means we are keeping the kids busy,” Adebiyi said.
He added that the initiative is guided by the motto: “Education, squash, youth development through sports.”
The squash administrator also called on individuals, organisations and other stakeholders to support grassroots sports development, stressing that some of the children participating in the competition could become future world champions if given the right opportunities.
He recalled that many Nigerian squash players of his generation benefited from the support of government officials, police commissioners, immigration officers and other influential individuals who played the sport.
According to him, the same culture of support must be extended to today’s young players.
“Some of these kids you see selling groundnuts and going about their daily activities could be the next world champion,” he said.
Adebiyi urged people with the capacity to assist to make small but consistent contributions towards the development of the youngsters.
“If they can, in their quiet moments, know that they are sowing seeds into these children’s lives, a little drop of water will fill a can,” he added.
Adebiyi said participation in Abuja has matched the Lagos editions overall and surpassed previous tournaments in several age categories.
He disclosed that the Under-11 category recorded 32 players, the highest number ever registered for the tournament, compared with between 12 and 14 players previously recorded in Lagos.
He added that the girls’ Under-11 and Under-13 categories also recorded their highest participation.
The figures, he said, further demonstrated the growing interest in squash among children in Abuja and other parts of Northern Nigeria.
The competition has also progressed without any major injury, with organisers providing medical personnel at the venue as well as round-the-clock medical support for players at the hostel.
Adebiyi expressed appreciation for the smooth conduct of the tournament and said the organisers were hoping for a safe conclusion when the finals are held on Saturday.
The young players have also expressed confidence ahead of the decisive stages of the competition.
Williams Goodluck, who also participated in last year’s Lagos edition, described the Abuja tournament as one of the best junior squash competitions he has experienced.
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He praised Nigerian squash players living abroad for returning home to organise competitions aimed at developing the next generation of players.
Goodluck said the Abuja edition was particularly unique because it brought the competition to the North, where many young players had not expected to have such an opportunity.
“I am 100 per cent prepared for the finals. Hopefully, I am going to win my semi-final match,” he said.
Fourteen-year-old Gift Ulsis, competing in the Diaspora tournament for the fourth time, also expressed satisfaction with her progress.
She recalled reaching the final and winning gold during her first appearance, taking bronze after losing in the semi-finals in her second outing and exiting in the quarter-finals during her third appearance.
She is now back among the leading contenders.
Gift praised the organisers and sponsors for staging what she described as an improved competition.
“I am so happy that they set up this tournament this year. They came up very well. I want to say thank you to the organisers and sponsors. They did very well,” she said.
Another 14-year-old player, Obanuyiwa Joy Fulashade, reached the semi-finals on her first appearance at the competition.
After winning her quarter-final match, she attributed her performance to playing good lengths, keeping her eyes on the ball and maintaining the right position.
Fulashade, who is set to face Gift in the semi-final, said she was targeting the championship.
“I am going to win the final, by God’s grace,” she said.
Meanwhile, Bassey Blessing, who lost her match, said she had identified key areas of her game that required improvement, including movement, positioning, playing good lengths and serving.
She said she would return to training with greater focus on her technique, ball control and movement.
With the semi-finals now underway and the finals scheduled for Saturday, the seventh edition has already provided a strong indication that the decision to take the Squash in Diaspora tournament beyond Lagos could open a new chapter for grassroots squash development in Nigeria.
