28th June, 2010
Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has pledged support for the game of Squash, which would be included in the forthcoming National Sports Festival, scheduled to hold in Rivers State later in the year.
Obasanjo disclosed this at the final of Olusegun Obasanjo National Open Squash Championship held recently at the Alake Sports Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The former president, who is the Grand Patron of the Nigeria Squash Racket Federation, said the sport is a game played world wide and it is unfortunate that the game is not popular in Nigeria.
He urged the National Sport Commission, NSC, to include the sport in the National Sports Festival so that the game will be popular like other sports in the country.
“I want to urge the National Sport Commission to see Squash as an important game by including it in the National Sports Festival.,†said Obasanjo who was impressed with the success of the competition.
Also speaking, President of the Nigeria Squash Rackets Federation, Olufemi Ajagbe, expressed gratitude to the sponsor and urged other corporate bodies and sport philanthropists to show more interest in the game. He said Squash can only be developed if there are enough sponsors to bankroll regular competitions.
Meanwhile, 378 athletes took part in the championship. Sodiq Taiwo of Niger State defeated Tunde Ajagbe of Ogun State 3-1 to win the male category, while Yemisi Taiwo of Ogun State beat Kally Dashback of Niger State 3-2 to win the female category.
—Sunday Akintoye