ADEKUNLE Adebiyi, Secretary of the Nigerian Squash Players in the Diaspora, has urged individuals, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to invest in young squash players to help produce future world champions.
Adebiyi stated this while addressing newsmen on Friday in Abuja on the sidelines of the ongoing seventh edition of the Squash Ex-Pros in the Diaspora Tournament for U-11, U-13 and U-17 Boys and Girls tournament .
He said grassroots development remained central to the tournament, stressing the need for sustained support to nurture young talents and provide them with competitive opportunities.
“Some of these kids you see selling groundnuts and going about their daily activities could be the next world champion,” he said.
He recalled that many Nigerian squash players of his generation benefited from the support of government officials, police commissioners, immigration officers and other influential individuals who played the sport.
According to him, the same culture of support must be extended to today’s young players to enable them realise their potential.
“ I urged individuals and organisations with the capacity to assist to make small but consistent contributions towards the development of the youngsters.
“If they can, in their quiet moments, know that they are sowing seeds into these children’s lives, a little drop of water will fill a can,” he said.
“ The competition which features both boys and girls in the Under-11, Under-13 and Under-17 categories, is being staged outside Lagos for the first time after six previous editions in the commercial capital.
“ He explained that the original plan was to move the competition around different parts of the country, but security concerns and other challenges had kept it in Lagos for several years.
“ There were initial fears that relocating the event to Abuja might affect participation.
“We knew squash is thriving in the North; it is just that they lack support and exposure. So when we came here and saw almost 100 children, it was a blessing,” he said.
He said the tournament being organised by the Nigerian Squash Players in the Diaspora, commenced on Tuesday and will end on Saturday at the squash courts of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B, Abuja,
Adebiyi commended the squash facilities at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, saying Abuja had facilities that compared favourably with, and in some cases surpassed, those used for competitions in southern Nigeria.
He said the impressive turnout demonstrated that there is a huge appetite for squash among young people in the North” when they are given the opportunity to compete.
Adebiyi also said that the Under-11 category recorded 32 players, the highest number ever registered for the tournament, compared with between 12 and 14 players in previous Lagos editions.
He added that the girls Under-11 and Under-13 categories also recorded their highest participation, describing the figures as evidence of growing interest in squash among children in Abuja and other parts of Northern Nigeria.
The secretary said the tournament had so far progressed without any major injury, with medical personnel available at the venue and round-the-clock medical support provided for players at the hostel.
He said the Abuja tournament was only the beginning of a busy period for the young athletes, who would have several opportunities to compete in the coming weeks.
According to him, the players would participate in Baba Obasanjo’s tournament next week before taking part in another competition organised by his foundation in memory of his late mother.
“The latter event will feature squash, tennis and badminton, adding that the schedule could see some of the young athletes participate in as many as four tournaments within one month.
“That is how we used to play during our own time. We moved from one location to another. So the fact that this is being replicated with four tournaments within a month means we are keeping the kids busy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Williams Goodluck, a squash male player who participated in 2025 Lagos edition, described the Abuja tournament as one of the best junior squash competitions he had experienced.
He commended Nigerian squash players in the diaspora for supporting youth development.
Gift Ulsis, a 14-year old player competing in the tournament for the fourth time, also expressed satisfaction with her progress .
NAN reports that the finals matches for the age groups category is scheduled for 2 p.m on Saturday at the squash courts of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B, in Abuja, ( NAN)
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Aug. 15, 2026
Tags: Adekunle Adebiyi
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