Squash: 1st Mailafia Memorial Tourney kicks off Nov 21st

Vice President, Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF), Yakubu Mailafia will organise the inaugural Mailafia Memorial Men’s Open Tournament on November 21st.

The tournament will be held from 21^st to 25^th November at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

Mailafia, a Chief Superintendent of Police told www.aclsports.com that the plan is to rekindle the spirit of squash in the nation’s state capital and its environs.

Mailafia pointed out the significance of hosting the men’s open of its kind in Abuja, especially with the proximity to Northern state.

He said, “I am motivated first by my passion for the black ball. Squash is not just a game but a therapy and a treatment for lots of ailments.  Secondly, I wanted to use the first Mailafia memorial tournament to immortalise my father; he was a role model to all of us in the squash family.

“The plans are also the reason we are hosting this in Abuja to help rekindle the squash spirit up here and to encourage grassroots sports development in the northern part of Nigeria.

“We are expecting players from all over the country, but more from the northern part as it hosted close to them”.

According to Mailafia, the tournament will prepare the players for national and international championship next year including the African Games.

“The tournament will definitely better the performance of the squash players in Nigeria, as the players are lucky to have consistent championships back to back. It will increase their level of stamina and discipline for any engagement anywhere in the world”.

Reacting to the inclusion of Squash in Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, Mailafia said, “I am highly delighted that it is happening at our time. The Nigeria Squash Federation under the leadership of Boye Oyerinde has already started the plan to ensure that Nigeria is not only represented but of course make it to the Olympics and make Africa”.