Egyptian Players Steal Show At 2018 Lagos Int’l Squash Classic Finals

Posted on March 25, 2018

L-R: Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr Kweku Tandoh, winner in the men event, Karim El Hammany from Egypt and Chairman of the LOC, Sanya Akindele.

Egyptian players were outstanding in this year’s Lagos International Squash Classic as they won the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour in Grand style.

The classic, sponsored by the Lagos State Government through Lagos State Sports Commission, was organized by the Lagos State Squash Association in conjunction with Nigeria Squash Federation.

Watched by a capacity crowd who included the Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr Kweku Tandoh, the Director General of the Commission, Hon Fatai Babatunde Bank-Anthony, inside Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, the Egyptians who were playing in the finals of both male and female categories proved that they didn’t get to the finals by luck, but through hardwork and determination.

L-R: Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Hon Fatai Babatunde Bank-Anthony, Salma Youssef from Egypt, winner of women’s event and Chairman of the LOC, Sanya Akindele

Salma Youssef beat her compatriot Menna Nasser in a keenly contested match that ended 3-2 in the women’s event. Youssef won $5000 prize money.

Nasser could not continued the last set of the match due to an injury, while injured Karim El-Hammany, tournament 4th seed and 71 in the world, beat compatriot, Ahmed Hosny 3-0 to win the $15,000 prize money.

The winners in both categories praised the standard of Lagos Classic. To Youssef, who was in Lagos for the first time, the organisation was excellent, adding that the organisers put up a world class event. Karim, who was also in the country for the first time, said he would love to come back next year.

Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr Kweku Tandoh said the classic is back for good, adding that henceforth it will be an annual event.

According to the Chairman, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is passionate about the tournament, as it is a good platform to expose the state’s athletes in an international competition. He said U-19 event which was organized simultaneously with the classic is a good developmental programme aiming at given youngsters opportunity to develop their talent.

FINAL RESULTS AT A GLANCE

LADIES
Salma Youssef (EGY)
bt
Menna Nasser (EGY)
3-2. 41mins

MEN
Karim El Hammamy(EGY)
bt
Ahmed Hosny (EGY)
3-0. 38mins

U-19 GIRLS
Rofiat Abdulazeez (Kwara)
bt Busayo Olatunji (Lagos)
3-0. 29mins

BOYS
Onaopemipo Adegoke (Lagos)
bt Desmond Iguodala (Headwaters)
3-1. 47mins