A total of 19 Nigerian players will compete for honours today during the Lagos Squash Classics at Teslim Balogun Stadium for the first time since 2018.
The Nigerian players who will be competing against players from different countries in both men and women category are aiming for the $12,000 prize money.
The tournament, which was last hosted five years ago, with Egypt’s Karim El Hammamy clinching the title that year, has Nigeria’s top-ranked player Babatunde Ajagbe leading the country’s title bid at the tourney dubbed the ‘Challenger Tour.’
Other Nigerian stars Ayomide Michael, Adegoke Onaopemipo, Femi Shedara, Kehinde Temitope, Gabriel Olufunmilayo and Faruq Sulaimon will compete in the men’s category.
In the women’s category, Titlayo Akinleye, Taiwo Ebifemi, Isaac Blessing, Modupe Faniyi, Mistura Durosinlorun, Busayo Olatunji, Rofiat Abdulazeez, Udeme James, Awawu Balogun, Favour Utukpe, Delight Temple and Idowu Ogunyemi will also compete for honours.
According to Ajagbe, who is seeded for the event, the Lagos Squash Classics will help Nigerian players improve on the global rankings.
Ajagbe said, “I’m very excited because it’s been such a long time since I’ve competed in my country. So, I’m looking forward to the home advantage.
“Most of the Nigerians will be playing against some of these players they have been watching on SQUASHTV and other streaming platforms. This tournament will also help them to improve their world ranking which is the most important factor for staging the tournament.”
Ajagbe is seeded for the tourney alongside Curtis Malik (England), Ziad Ibrahim (Egypt), Laszlo Godde (France), Perry Mailk (England), Mazen Gamal (Egypt), Laouenan Loaec (France) and Martin Svec (Czech).
