The
Vice-President, Africa Squash Federation, Southern Region, Lucky Mlilo,
yesterday said that he was impressed with the development of squash in
Nigeria.
He made the assertion at the ongoing
Lagos International Squash Classics holding from March 19 to March 24,
at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State.
Mlilo told the said in an interview in
Lagos that Nigerian squash players had the potential to become world
best if they were adequately trained.
“In 2013, I was the Chief Referee
for the Lagos Squash Classics and from then to my observation of today,
there has been a lot of improvement in form and skill.
“There are many young players who
have the potential to be ranked among the best players in the world if
they are provided with the enabling environment,” he said.
The president advised African
countries who were interested in developing squash to provide facilities
and the enabling environment that would encourage players to reach
their full potential.
“For instance, the Egyptians are
world champions at the moment. They are doing very well and this can be
attributed to the support they are getting from their government.
“Their policies for squash are
targeted at grassroots development. You find out that in Egypt, children
as young as three-year-old are already playing squash.
“In Egypt, a squash player can get a scholarship and travel overseas to pursue a career in life,” he said.
Mlilo urged African countries to
emulate what Egypt is doing in terms of developing squash and sports
generally in their country.
“Our government can become directly
involved in the sport by giving the necessary support, building squash
courts in high density areas.
“This will influence squash to be a
majority sport rather than a minority sport which will lead to the
production of quality players and overall improvement of the sport,” he
said.
News Credit:Daily Trust
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