Nigeria Number One, Yemisi Olatunji and Kwara’s Olufunmilayo Gabriel on Saturday won the Female and Male prizes of the maiden North Central Invitational Open Squash Classic.
The tournament sponsored by AGF Abdul-Razaq Yemisi Olatunji of Lagos defeated her sister, Busayo Olatunji three straight sets, 11-5, 13-11 and 11-6 to sustain her superiority in the country, carting home the winning prize of N50,000 for doing so.
In the Male category, Kwara’s Olufunmilayo Gabriel saw off the challenge of Lagos player, Onaopemipo Adegoke 3-1 sets, 11-4, 7-11, 11-7 and 11-7 to win the most prestigious prize, in a competition where the Number One in Nigeria, Sodiq Taiwo of NSCDC and Number Two in Nigeria, Lanre Abdulrahman of Lagos were dusted.
Olufunmilayo won the winning prize of N75, 000.
The Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Pharmacist Kale Ayo, who represented the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed at the occasion, said that government is not leaving any stone unturned to engage the youths in the state meaningfully.
He however called on the corporate individuals and organizations to support the efforts of the government. He commended the sponsor of the championship, even as he charged him to do more by constructing a squash court, to complement the existing facility.Yinka Duro, he represented the President of the Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF), Boye Oyerinde, who commended the sponsor, seeks more private sector participation in youth and sports development. He praised the standard of the competition.
The North Central representative on the Board of the Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF), Hon. Nyam Pa Darreng commended the sponsor of the competition, adding that the Board will encourage more private sector support for the sport.
