Day One of the ongoing Lagos State International Squash Classics at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria, was a good day for some of the Nigerian stars taking part in the tournament.
Independent News Express reports that no fewer than eight countries and the hosts, Lagos, Nigeria are represented at the 200 rankings-point tournament billed to end on the 13th of May, 2023.
Lagos State player representing Nigeria, Adegoke Onaopemipo, in his opener created an upset by beating his opponent Brice Nicolas from France 3-0 (11-5,11-5,11-7) in a three straight sets.
Also, another Nigerian, Abel Shedrack defeated his German opponent, Jan Wipperforh 3-1 (8-11,11-4,11-4,11-5).
Omar Elkatan of Egypt felled to Henrick Mustonen of Finland 3-0 (11-5,12-10,12-10. While Kehinde Samuel (Nigerian) showed class winning 3-1(13-11,11-4,10-12,11-2) in a four-set decider against his country man, Femi Shedara.
Meanwhile, while declaring the tournament open, the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku alongside the Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission Oluwatoyin Gafaar, highlighted that the main squash classics championship is back.
He said the state has dedicated substantial investment to make sure the classics happen amongst others. “And even this year, we have a bigger revenue, bigger budget for it.”
“So, we are very happy as you can see, behind me apart from the development of the squash courts, we also have this for the for the competition, which is an international standard.
“We are very happy, we are relieved that the competition is back and it will help the rankings of our players, especially in Africa and qualify them to play bigger tournaments as well as of the younger ones”, said Sola Aiyepeku.
