Ambode, OBJ To Grace Final Of Lagos Int’l Squash Classics On Saturday

PM EXPRESS can report that the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo will grace the final of 2018 Lagos International Squash Classics which ends on Saturday.

The Governor, the Chief Host and Obasanjo,  who is the Grand Patron of Nigerian Squash will witness of the championship which climax at the Squash Court of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

Meanwhile, regardless of what happened in the quarterfinal, Nigeria female player is sure of a place in the last four as the 2018 Lagos International Squash Classics enters semifinal stage on Friday.

Already, the only Nigerian competing in the main draw of the men’s event, Babatunde Ajagbe narrowly lost to Egypt’s Shehab Essam 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 – an encounter the Egyptian admitted was the toughest for him in recent time.

After four days of exciting matches from the qualifying round, the $20,000 prize money Lagos State Government-sponsored championship, through the Lagos State Sports Commission, continued to receive accolades from squash buffs. They believe it has provided platform for local players to test their strength against their foreign counterparts as well as to amass ranking points.

Organised by the Lagos State Squash Association with support from the Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF), the battle for the title in the men’s event will be among the foreigners with Egypt having the largest number of players from the main draw.

However, for Onaopemipo Adegoke, competing against the best in the world has afforded him the opportunity to acquire new skills.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity we had to compete against some of the best and it really exciting that we are not pushovers against these top players. I must commend the Lagos State for ensuring that we have the classics back after failing to host it last year. I must also appreciate the efforts of the Lagos State Squash Government for providing the platform for young players like me to compete in such international and quality tournament.

“I hope I will be able to do better in subsequent editions of the tournament,” the teenage sensation said.