The number of the teams continues to swell as 10 countries including host – Nigeria has been listed for the second Lagos International Squash Classics.
England will lead the foreign legion to the six-day tournament holding at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos from November 3 to 8.
Top squash playing nations like Egypt, South Africa, Wales, Jordan, Pakistan, France, Slovakia, Switzerland and Netherlands will also compete for honours at the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and Women Squash Association (WSA) sanctioned $40,000 prize money tournament.
For the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development, Oluseyi Whenu, the tournament received the overwhelming support of the World Squash Federation (WSF) following the success of the maiden edition.
The qualifiers will kick-start the championship on November 3 with four players joining the 12 seeded players in the main draw of the men and women events.
England’s Adrian Grant and Egypt’s Heba El-Torky, ranked 24 and 28 respectively are seeded number one in the men and women events while the only Nigerian who got automatic place in the main draw is Babatunde Ajagbe, who is ranked 186 in the world.
Chairman, Lagos State Squash Association (LSSA), Sanya Akindele, said the tournament, which is a point hauling event will also host the boys’ U-19 event with Temilolu Adegoke, Olanrewaju Pratt and Edward Bette competing with other home-based players for the title in the category.
“It is worthy to note that the draw for this year’s tournament was done by the PSA and WSA respectively and the tournament officials are WSF referees – Pakistan’s Tahir Khandaza and Zimbabwe’s Lucky Mlilo. The total prize money to be won is $40,000 with $25,000 for the men and $15,000 for the women and is mainly sponsored by the Lagos State Government and our sponsors,” Akindele said.
For the LSSA boss, the listing of the tournament by PSA and WSA is 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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