Chairman, Squash Section of Lagos Country Club, Semoore Badejo, has explained that increased advocacy and regular competition in squash is yielding results, saying that the sport is gaining more recognition in international and local competitions.
Speaking at the ‘One Day Chairman,’ organised by the Lagos Squash Section in honour of one of its members, Akingbade Adekola, a chartered building professional with over 17 years experience, Badejo said although there is no sporting event without challenges, the squash community has succeeded in popularising the sport by organising world-class competitions with Professional Squash Association (PSA) ranking, which has also improved the rating of Nigerian players.
This, he said, has encouraged U-19 and U- 20 players to compete improve on their skills, adding that with the high level of advocacy, squash has now become one of the Olympic sports.
“It has never been there but in the next Olympics, squash will be represented.”It is a healthy game and for all seasons, unlike tennis and others.
“The squash community is like a close-knit family and so we now feel that it is not all about sports but bonding. That’s why we have decided to take it beyond sport, by sharing business ideas and how to add value to business through the ‘One-day chairman’ series.
“For the One-day chairman, l will step down for a day and allow the member chosen to run the day,” he said. Also speaking on the event, the one-day chairman, Adekola called for more women participation in the game, adding that because squash is physically engrossing and energy sapping, many women tend to stay away from it.
“But in recent time, the Lagos section has tried enough to encourage women to play squash so that everyone, including the children, can enjoy the game together as a family. It is when we start celebrating one another that we can know what members do beyond the game of squash. It more of x-raying life beyond the game,” he said.
