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,,,,, Competition Ends with Appeal for Investment in Sports
By Our Correspondent in Minna.
Gideon Ibrahim Bala and Esther Paul have emerged champions in the senior male and female categories respectively at the maiden edition of the Niger State Monthly Squash League, which ended on Sunday at the Minna Sports Club, Niger State.
Bala defeated Sampson Alabi in a thrilling final to clinch the top prize in the male senior category, while Paul outplayed Amarachi Ozurumba to win the female category. In the junior division, Isaac Afokhai beat Ezra David to emerge champion.
Our correspondent reports that, the three-day (closed) championship was organised in collaboration with the Niger State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
It was not just a celebration of athletic talent but also a call to action for sports development in the state and beyond.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, former Nigeria number one female squash player and Chairperson of the Niger State Squash Racket Association (NSSRA), Mrs. Taiwo Oluremi Akinkoye, appealed to well-meaning Nigerians and sports enthusiasts to invest in the development of sports.
According to her, the effort will represent a strategic tool to combat youth unemployment and crime.
Akinkoye, fondly known as “Madam Top,” decried the current state of sports in Niger State, compared to her days as a top-ranked player.
She expressed concern over the neglect of sports development by public and private stakeholders, emphasizing that reviving squash and other sports could provide meaningful engagement for youths and reduce crime.
“Every day we complain about rising crime and delinquency among youths, yet, we ignore one of the simplest solutions, engaging them through sports.
“Sports not only create jobs but also instill discipline, purpose, and hope,”she said.
Akinkoye, who became the first woman to chair the NSSRA, dedicated the competition to her 65th birthday and used the occasion to unveil plans to transform the event into a monthly league.
According to her, the league will nurture talent, build a competitive squash community, and revive the sport’s former glory in Niger State.
“This competition is not just a birthday celebration; it’s a statement of intent
“We are laying the foundation for a vibrant squash league that can eventually attract national and international recognition,”she said.
She added that partnership with corporate sponsors and government agencies would be critical to sustaining the league and expanding its reach, with a long-term vision of bringing international tournaments to Niger State.
The event, which attracted sports lovers from within and outside the state, was widely praised for its organisation and the quality of talent on display.
With strong community support and continued investment, organisers believe the competition could become a flagship event in Nigeria’s squash calendar.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
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