LAGOS – Londie Dasbak, Nigeria female number one squash player, on Friday attributed poor performance of the country’s players at the ongoing Lagos International Squash Classic to the introduction of all glass court.
Dasbak told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that most of the Nigerian players are playing on all glass court for the first time.
“Most of us are playing on all glass court for the first time; if we had access to the court to train in it before now, our performance could have been better.
“Not only in sports, even on day-to-day life, it take time for people to get used to a new environment, there is always a period to adapt to new things.
“So, there is no way we can just adjust to the new court which is modern and strange to many Nigerian players.
“The new court will definitely affect our performance,’’ she said.
According to Dasbak Nigerian players are good and had trained hard ahead of the tournament, but the use of the court and lighting is against them.
“We have the chance to win if we had adequately trained with the new court.
“ I think we have the chance of beating opponents; there is nothing they are playing that is spectacular or is different.
“The advantage they have is that they had experienced playing in all glass court, which we do not have.
“The reflecting light on the glass court is also a major distraction to those new to it,’’ she said.
NAN reports that Dasbak, who is the country’s top player, is participating in the classic for the first time.
The international tournament which served off on Nov. 5 at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, would end on Nov. 8.(NAN)
