By Aderonke Ojo
Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF) Vice President and sponsor of the Squash in Diaspora Tournament, Comptroller Haniel Haddison Haruna, has called for increased investment in grassroots squash development to bridge the gap created by the limited number of national competitions for young players.
Haruna made the call as the seventh edition of the Squash in Diaspora U-11, U-13 and U-17 Boys and Girls Tournament commenced at the Squash Courts, Package B, Moshood Kashimawo Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The competition has attracted nearly 100 young players across the various age categories.
Haruna said grassroots development remained one of the major priorities of the NSF board, stressing that competitions such as the Squash in Diaspora tournament were critical to identifying and nurturing future national stars.
“One of our focal points as a board of the Squash Federation is to direct our attention towards the grassroots so that we can bridge the gap. Over time, we’ve been lacking national tournaments,” he said.
He described the tournament as an important platform for exposing young players to competitive squash and helping them develop at an early age.
“This is the seventh edition of the Expo. It has been a wonderful session, and this is a platform given to the younger ones, the next generation. This event is actually adding great value to the grassroots development of the Squash Federation,” Haruna said.
He commended the Federal Government for providing sporting infrastructure across the country, particularly the facilities at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
According to him, the squash courts at the stadium provide an important platform for developing the sport and should be fully utilised.
He, however, said government alone could not provide sporting competitions throughout the year, urging private-sector organisations, former athletes and other stakeholders to complement government efforts.
“The few matches played, you could see some serious-minded kids exhibiting a high level of performance,” he added.
Haruna also urged the young athletes to maintain a proper balance between education and sports.
“We need to encourage them that there is a need for them to concentrate on their books and then create time for squash,” he said.
“Classroom is the primary while squash is the secondary.”
The NSF vice president said the decision to stage the tournament in Abuja for the first time was a positive development that would help expand squash beyond its traditional South-West base.
He said the large turnout in Abuja demonstrated the potential for the sport to gain wider acceptance across the country.
