Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said that his administration will continue to partner and support relevant stakeholders and organizations towards the development of youth and sports in the country.
The Governor made the pledge yesterday, during the final of the fourth edition of the Ex-Pro Squash Championship, at the Squash Court of the Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin.
Over 120 youth players from states of the federation and Academies participated in the competition which was staged to sustain the culture of development in squash.
The Governor, who graced the final as the Special Guest of Honour commended the Ex-Pros, for supporting the growth of the sport with the introduction of the competition.
He said that the state has invested heavily in the renovation and construction of facilities at the Stadium Complex, including but not limited to the renovation of the existing Squash Courts, and the construction of new eight glass back Squash Courts, which is nearing completion.
The Chairman of the Ex- Professional Squash Players Association, Mrs Laurel Morounmubo Ojo commended the Kwara state government for not only adding value to youth and sports development through renovation and construction of facilities, but supporting participation in the system.
She said that the competition was introduced and being organized by Ex-Squash Professional Players in the country and in the Diaspora, as a way of giving back to the society, and to discover and nurture future squash players.
Aishat AbdulRaheem of Kwara state and Joshua Daniel of Lagos won the female and male events respectively. Aishat defeated Rose Ikoh of Jacub Esuene Squash Academy three straight sets, while Joshua defeated Matthew Yusuf, also of Lagos, by 3-1.
Omilude Farida of Osun state and Balogun Loveth of Kwara won joint third prizes in the female event, as Kennedy Monday of Akwa Ibom and Omotayo Ayomide won it in the male event.
Delight Temple of Jacub Esuene Squash Academy defeated Kwara’s Misitura Durosinlorun 3-1 in the female U-17 event. Misitura won the first game 11-6, but lost 7-11, 9-11 and 13-15 thereafter, to win silver.
Khadijat AbdulRaheem of Kwara and Bidemi Olatunji of Lagos won the third place prizes.
The final of the male U-17 event, which, no doubt, leaved to it’s billing, saw Dominion Utukpe of Lagos beat Musa Usman of Oyo state three straight sets, 11-8, 12-10 and 11-1, to win the first prize.
Giwa Shuaib of Kwara State and Elisha Daniel of Lagos state won the third place prizes in that event.
