Lagos International Squash Classics: Nigerian Players Make Quarterfinal…,

Heba El Torky

Three Nigerian players will play in today’s quarterfinal ties of the ongoing Lagos International Squash Classics just as Egypt Air has promised to offer free ticket to winner of the raffle draw taking place during the tournament.

Nigeria’s trio of Omolola Ajayi, Udeme James and Londgi Dasbak sealed their places in the last eight of the competition after winning their first round matches on Wednesday at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

To berth in the quarterfinal, James had an easy win over compatriot, Dunni Okikiola while Yemisi Olatunji fell to Slovakia’s Linda Hruzikova as she was beaten 11-7, 11-6, 11-4.

Dasbak and Ajayi gave the host – Nigeria something to cheer as they dismissed their Pakistan counterparts to berth in the last eight of the championship.

Pakistan’s Zahab Khan could not match Dasbak as the young Pakistani fell 3-0, while with just 13 minutes Ajayi bundled out Pakistan’s Neha Kamal Khan 11-1, 11-4, 11-3.

In Thursday’s quarterfinal pairing Nigeria’s Udeme James battles tournament’s number one seed, Egypt’s Heba El-Torky , Nigeria’s Dasbak will confront Netherland’s Milou Van der Heijden, while South Africa’s Cheyna Turker faces Nigeria’s Ajayi, Deon Saffery of Wales’ will battle Slovakia’s Hruzikova.

An optimistic James said she was ready to battle the Egyptian, adding that she would not be intimidated by her ranking.

“I am going to surprise her tomorrow (today) because I am in top shape for this competition because the first match was a bit easy. I will surely do all my thinking on the court because I am aware that she is the number one seeded player for this tournament. Nothing is impossible in squash,” James said.

Meanwhile The raffle draw which is meant for fans and players hold each match day and the star prize is a return ticket to Egypt courtesy Egypt Air.

England, Egypt Are Top Seeds At Lagos International Squash Classics

Lagos International Badminton Classics 2014

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.

Egypt’s Heba El-Torky

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.

England’s Adrian Grant

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.