Stakeholders applaud coaches for impressive performance of players at Expros Diaspora Squash Tourney

Some stakeholders at the ongoing 5th edition of the Expros Diaspora Squash Championships has applauded players and coaches for consistently improving their skills.

The 5th edition of the U-11, U-13 and U-16 championships was organised by the International Association of Ex Squash Pros in Diaspora.

The tournament served off from Nov. 12 to Nov. 16 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere.

Regina Ogunjimi, a former number one ranked female squash player in Nigeria, in the 1980's said that the level of play of players has been mind-blowing.

"I am so proud of all the coaches. I'm very much impressed, what they have done with these players in terms of impact is very commendable, kudos to them.

" Especially the U-11 I will say they are impressive for the age. If you look at their age. If you look at their level of play now considering their age they are promising superstars," she said.

On her impression on female squash, she said there has been great improvement compared to her time.

"Women are doing great. Men have always been faster, I will say women in this generation are quite better than my own generation, so I'm in awe of these improvements," she said.

Similarly her husband Segun Ogunjimi, a former number two ranked player in the country said that the players brought back nostalgic feelings, he said they have what it takes to play internationally.

 " The performance of the players at the tournament. is great, they are really performing well and the whole thing is reminding us of our old days when we used to play like this 

" I can see that the coaches have done so well with them so many of these players, which is good for the future of squash in the country, we are enjoying every moment of it.

" You know basically we have the U-11, U-13 and the U-16. But the U-11 players from Kwara, when you consider their age, they have been fantastic.

 "The age is being dominated by Kwara and Lagos players and I think that's because of the facilities and the encouragement they are getting from the stakeholders in Lagos. They are attached to clubs," Ogunjimi said.

Winners will go home with rackets, sneakers and other equipment.

Seun Peters, the Tournament Director at the ongoing 5th edition of the Expros Diaspora Open says he is optimistic that Nigerian players will go far in squash globally with their brilliant performances at the tournament.

“In my view, Nigeria will dominate squash worldwide we have the talent and the coaches are consistent and committed too.

" Take for instance my academy Headwaters has so many young talented players and I believe the future of squash in this country is bright ,” he said.

For U-11 girls Setemi Adekunle crushed Fatimo Abudulateef 3-0 to qualify for the finals, similarly Suzan Balogun won Etimbuk Abraham 3-0.

For boys Udo Favour defeated Greatness Olayinka 3-1, Wilson Imebong trashed Orezimena Iyeih-Omoefe 3-0.

U-13 girls Khadijat Durosinlorun won Setemi Adekunle 3-1, while Grace Gana defeated Elizabeth Adebayo 3-1.

For U-13 boys Lanre Yusuf trashed Daniel Awe 3-0, Mohammed Azim dished Zubair Mogaji 3-0

In the U-16 category, Loveth Balogun defeated Elizabeth Adebayo 3-1 to qualify for the finals, Zainab Ishola cruised into the finals defeating Gift Ulisis 3-1

For boys with 3-0 win, Mathew Yusuf sent Benjamin Monday packing. In a very tough semifinal, Joshua Daniel was the last man standing having defeated Mictel Etuk-Udo 3-2.