President of Nigeria Squash Federation, NSF, Mr Boye Oyerinde, has praised the support the sport has been receiving from the Government of Lagos State in the last few years.
Oyerinde said at the press conference to herald the maiden Ex Squash Pro Diaspora U-13 & 16 National Squash Tournament at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere on Tuesday that the singular effort of the Lagos State Government to stage the Squash International Classics since 2014 and what Governor Akinwumi Ambode did in giving approval for the closed circuit event organised last year have been supports which the Nigerian Squash family will forever be grateful of.
According to Oyerinde, while the international classics has been a platform to expose the local players to high standard tournament, it has also helped in keeping the players busy.
To the President of Nigeria Squash Federation who came on board last August, the forthcoming Ex Squash Pro Diaspora U-13 & 16 National Squash Tournament, which is being organised by former players who are based at home and abroad, will go a long way in developing the game at the grassroots.
Mrs Titi Oshodi, Head, Public Relations Unit of the Lagos State Sports Commission, who represented the Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor on Sports, Mr Deji Tinubu, at the press conference conveyed the goodwill message of Mr Tinubu to the gathering, saying that the staging of Pro Diaspora tournament at this period is a good development.
Meanwhile, more than 150 players across the federation are expected to storm Lagos for the competition which holds from 16-18 November at the squash court of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Chairman, Planning Committee of Ex Squash Pro Diaspora, Femi Solomon Shittu disclosed that they are ready, adding that adequate preparation has been made for a successful competition.
“We will provide feeding, accommodation and transportation subsidy for all the participants. There are handsome prizes to be won at the end of the tournament.
“The purpose of organising this competition is to give younger players the platform to showcase their talent, ” he said.