LAGOS – Some spectators at the ongoing Lagos International Squash Classics on Saturday lamented the inability of any Nigerian player to reach the final stage of the in the tournament.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, they said such an unpleasant development was an indication that a lot more needed to be done in the field of squash.
Kola Adubi, a student, told NAN at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, that it was unfortunate that none of the top rated Nigerian players made it to the finals.
“It is so sad that not even a single player made it to the finals. Does it mean that we do not have any player of international standard?
“It shows that something is wrong that needs to be fixed in order not to witness such an embarrassment again,” Adubi said.
Sharing the same sentiment, Kayode Kuti, an ICT specialist and squash player, said that the competition had exposed the true level of squash in the country.
“It is obvious that we need to do more in terms of exposure. We need to expose our players to competitions that could help showcase their talents.
“We have what it takes to rule Africa and even the world, with more dedication on the part of both the players and the administrators,” Kuti said.
Another spectator, Taiwo Niniola said that it was no big deal that none of the country’s players made it to the finals.
“I do not think it is such a big deal; that is what good officiating is all about. Should we have been at the finals simply because we hosted the championship?
“It either shows that we have not trained enough, or that the invited players are better than us. It is as simple as that,” Niniola said.
NAN reports that Nigeria’s number one seeded female player Londie Dasbak, had earlier complained about the glass court.
“We are not used to playing on the glass court, so, it is really affecting us. There is nothing spectacular about how the invited foreign players play,” she said.
NAN reports that in the 2013 edition of the tournament, Tunde Ajagbe finished as the first runner up in the men’s professional category, while Rodney Dubach of South Africa, emerged winner. (NAN)
