Squash: Nigerian stars eye more global tourneys

Nigeria’s high-ranked squash players, Gabriel Olufunmilayo and Rofiat Abdulazeez are setting their sights on more competitions on the international scene after an unbroken dominance at home in recent times, NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.

Both players were recently crowned the men’s singles and women’s singles champions at the third Vitrano Squash Closed Satellite Tournament, which was held at the Squash Section of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club at Onikan.

Despite the emergence of younger players, the supremacy of Olufunmilayo and Abdulazeez were not challenged on the home front as they breezed past their opponents in the five-day tournament.

In the men’s final, Olufunmilayo defeated Shedrack 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-6) under 26 minutes while Abdulazeez took just 15 minutes to dispatch Faidat Soliu, winning the women’s final 3-0 (11-3, 11-6,11-3).

Motivated by the result, both players reflected on the rivalry they share with some of their colleagues at home and abroad and how they hope to up their game.

Olufunmilayo is currently ranked number two in Nigeria with the foreign-based Onaopemipo Adegoke leading the pack.

With just five points between them, Olunfunmilayo believes he can challenge for the top spot if he gets more competition.

“Adegoke and I have been rivals for years but he is now abroad. I can’t say the tournament is easy but I am eager to play more international tournaments. In March I have more of them which I’m preparing for and I believe I will get more international exposure as the year goes on,” the current Nigerian number two said.

Abdulazeez, who is currently the women’s number one also shares the same sentiment.

“This is my second tournament this year. I just finished an international tournament in Uganda in which I finished second. I think I have to do more and play more matches outside of Nigeria. That’s the plan now.”

President of the Nigeria Squash Federation, Boye Oyerinde, also feels the growth of the sport in Nigeria is dependent on the exposure of the players and the emerging stars.

“Normally you will have players like Onaopemipo Adegoke, Kehinde Samuel, Busayo Olatunji and they are playing outside Nigeria as well. It’s growing and we are happy to see more players coming up as well. It’s been our dream to have younger players coming up and the older ones getting bigger exposure.”