Among the 10 countries including the host – Nigeria that will compete at the second edition of the Lagos International Squash Classics, England and Egypt have been seeded as the top teams in the men and women events of the tournament, which serves off on Monday November 3 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
The two nations were ranked top following the rating of their players globally.
For England, Adrian Grant will hoist Britain’s flag in Lagos while the British-born is rated 24 in the world, while Egypt’s Heba El-Torky, who is ranked 28 in the world is the top seeded female player in the tournament.
Other seeded male players apart from Grant, are Egypt’s Omar Abdel Meguid, Pakistan’s Nasir Iqbal, South Africa’s Shaun Le Roux, Egypt’s Karim Ali Fathi, Pakistan’s Farhan Zaman and his compatriot, Danish Atlas Khan as well as Wales’ Peter Creed. The only Nigerian playing from the main draw is Babatunde Ajagbe.
Egypt’s El-Torky will lead other top female from the globe to the $40,000 prize money tournament, which has the sanction of Professional Squash Association (PSA) and Women Squash Professional Association (WSA).
Qualifiers for the tournament will commence on Monday November 3 with 16 players competing for the four slots available in the main draw.
According to the Chairman, Lagos State Squash Association (LSSA), Sanya Akindele the tournament is a point hauling event with players also jostling for honours in the boys’ U-19 event.
Officials from the World Squash Federation (WSF) – Pakistan’s Tahir Khandaza will be in charge of proceedings at the tournament, while the draw for the competition has also been conducted by PSA and WSA.
The prize money in men’s category is $25,000 while the women will jostle for the $15,000 prize money at stake.
The LSSA boss described the listing of the tournament by PSA and WSA as a major stride for the country.
“This is a major stride for the development of squash in Nigeria and this is the first time any tournament has been accorded such status.
We intend to retain this status by ensuring no stone is left unturned in hosting a memorable tournament,” he said.
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