The long awaited 3rd edition of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo National Squash Championship has been slated to serve-off from August 31st to September 4th, 2021.
Not fewer than 140 players comprising of senior men and women category, and Under-16 boys and girls respectively are anticipated to participate in the five days event.
Moreover, the championship is being organised by Ogun State Squash Association in collaboration with Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF), and it will serve-off at OOPL Squash Court; Abeokuta Sports Club, and Ake Palace, Abeokuta.
The championship which could not hold in 2020 due to the outbreak of COVID-19 is being sponsored by Otunba Yemi Lawal, Osi Bobagunwa of Egbaland, Chairman, Seagle Property Development Company.
In attendance at the media briefing were Justice Dehinde Soremi, a veteran squash player; Chief Dipo Akingbade, Chairman Ogun State Squash Association; Seyi Akinlawon; Chief Yemi Lawal, and his wife, Erelu Ayotunde Lawal, and amongst.
According to the NSF President, Boye Oyerinde, he noted that the championship is an international ranking event, and the first of its kind this year. Adding that it would not be a knockout, but and all round event whereby all players would play at least five games.
He also thanked the sponsor and all those who contributed immensely to the emancipation of the championship in which he believed would be keenly contested by all the participants due to the significant of the event.
Earlier on, Chief Akingbade in his remarks eulogised Chief Obasanjo efforts over the years in the development of the game in Ogun and Nigeria in particular.
He revealed that the former President on his volition built the squash court for the benefit of the players and to keep them away from engaging in social vices as well as off the streets. While he commended Oyerinde for adding values to the game since his assumption as president of the squash federation.
In the same vein, Justice Soremi also thanked sponsor for taking it upon himself to bankroll the event. He went memory lane on how squash brought him closer to chief Obasanjo, having being playing the game for over fifty years in Nigeria.
He mentioned the contributions of Baba Obasanjo by building squash courts across the country, among them were at his Ota farm, as well his Ita Eko residence in Abeokuta. Also, at Dodan Barracks and many other places in Nigeria.
However, in his own address, Otunba Lawal said it was a big honour to sponsor the championship, and that charity must start from home, as an indigene and title holder in Egbaland.
He hereby promised that the championship would be an annual event, and expressed believe that this year edition would be great event to all the players, officials and other stakeholders.
