Organisers give reasons for ex-squash pro diaspora championship

Ifeanyi Eduzor
Organisers of the ongoing 4th edition of ex- squash pro Diaspora championship presently going on at the Squash Court of Teslim Balogun, Stadium, Lagos said they are organising the grassroots competition for U-11, U-13 and U-16 players inorder to give back to the society as well as make the kids understand the basic principles of the racket game.
Chairman Ex- squash pro in Diaspora, Friday Odeh told our correspondent that they decided to move the competition from November/ December to August so as not to interrupt academic activities of the children and also give opportunity to many kids to be part of the tournament.
Odeh who expressed happiness that over 100 kids from different states and clubs are taking part in the championship said they will work closely with the Nigeria Squash Federation to change the face of grassroots squash development in the country.
” I’m really excited with the turn out of the kids who are all enthusiastic about the championship. Although we’ve not really achieved our aims but we’re gradually getting there and that was why I came all the way from United States to assess what we’re doing.
” It will interest you to know that I asses squash programmes in the United States and I will tell you that our standard is almost closing in with that of the USA and what we only lack is good facilities and modern equipment.
” We intend to organise more tournaments in future coupled with clinics/ training sessions where we’ll bring in coaches a week to the tournament to teach the kids.
“With the data system of NSF, we’re going to organise more developmental programmes aimed at changing the grassroots development of the sports and that was why we added U-11 which has never been done before in this country
Tournament Director/ Technical Committee Chairman of Nigeria Squash Federation, Yusuf Durosinlorun said that about 110 kids are taking part in the tournament noting that this year’s edition is better than previous ones in terms of attendance.
” This year’s edition is far better than previous editions in terms of attendance and the kids are very excited by the prizes and gift items to be shared and I’m happy seeing squash coming back to the grassroots.
Also speaking, a member of the Ex-Squash Pro Diaspora Board of Trustees, Lanre Taiwo commended the organisers for doing a good job which he believes will change the face of the game in the country.
Meanwhile, Chairman Technical Committee of NSF, Yusuf Durosinlorun has described the just concluded grassroots tournament they organised in Kwara State as very successful.
According to him, the regional competition is a way of giving back to the society and it attracted many players from Abuja and the Mambila Club who showed good knowledge of the game with a promise that it will be a regular tournament.
He explained that they will encourage the players to come and participate in tournaments in Lagos so that they’ll not be isolated only in Abuja and be local champions over there