The Professional Squash Players Association of Nigeria (PSPAN)’s past president, Seun Peters, has applauded the stakeholders for their efforts to regularly promote junior squash championships.
Peters made this statement during a Tuesday interview in Lagos.
“I was the Tournament Director at the just concluded Theodore Adebiyi maiden squash championships organised by Adekunle Adebiyi Foundation. With the quality displayed there, I can confidently say we’ve improved.
“This is not limited to any gender. Both the boys’ and girls’ junior categories are playing like they are pros already, and this will give some senior players good competition.
“This is the only way squash and other sports can thrive in this country. Stakeholders have a lot to do if we are to ensure continuity; this is also what we do at Headwaters Squash Academy,” he said.
He thought it was great that former squash players were now trying to organise events both in the U.S. and abroad.
According to him, these competitions will help find more talented people and help the sport grow faster and faster.
In memory of his deceased parents, Kunle Adebiyi has successfully hosted seven tournaments.
Peters added that the level of play had increased, making junior championships much more competitive than in the past.
“The competition among the players is very tough and encouraging, normally in most junior tournaments, tough games start from round of 16 or mostly quarterfinals but in this tournament it wasn’t so.
“The toughness of the matches starts from the 1st round, which makes some matches look like final-before-final. There were a lot of close point winnings, especially in the boys’ category.
“Apart from the play and win syndrome, the tournament’s sponsor, Adebiyi also made sure all the players went home with at least a kit.
“He has sown seeds into the lives of the young players and coaches, it is a positive contribution to the development of squash in Nigeria,” the Headwaters boss said.
Mistura Durosinlorun won both of her matches at the Theodore Adebiyi inaugural squash championships, defeating the opposition in the U-16 and U-19 divisions.
Elisha Daniel defeated Shuaib Giwa in the U-16 boys division by a score of 3-2, and Dominion Utukpe triumphed against Mohammad Soliu by a score of 3-0.
