Grant Urges Nigerian Governmet To Invest In Squash.

Nigerian Squash Federation,NSF, as well as the National Sports Commission,NSC, have been urged to invest heavily on he nation's Squash players in a bid to assist them to get international recognition and also attract international body's rankings.

Winner of the four edition of Lagos Governor's open squash championship, Adrian Grant of Great Britain, who made this remark, said the annual squash international competition had afford him to see the potentials in Nigerian squash players but they lack exposure to international tournaments.

 "Good to compete in the Governor's squash competition. The nation’s weather condition is very tough on him, (warm) and London is cold. Here is good for me to get fit I did not understand the standard of squash in Nigeria but have come and very impressed" He said.

According to him, two Nigerian squash players could be sponsored for a two months training programmes in United Kingdom where they stand a chance to play a minimum of seven tournaments, adding that the squash players could represent Nigeria at the two editions of Olympic Games.

"The guys are still trying to get out and play on the world tour to play other stars from other nations because they are only Nigerian players. But if the players from different countries.They are not used to charging their styles; they need more of that experience.

 If they could do thus, they would be very good." "He has played few tournaments in England. You can see the professional touch in his game. He did not drop a match in the tournament except the final. He is used to playing different styles and that is why he is Nigeria number one. Am England number 4 and world’s number 16".

 Nigerian squash players are strong, fast. These things are very hard to get and they have got it naturally because they eat good food, climate and train hard. They need to focus how to play, and they need experience. To expose themselves to the world of squash. (Some of the players he played against lack experience and they are timid.

"His opponent his based in USA. He played matured game. He is naturally strong and he knows what to do with the ball while other guys lack required experience".

Grant who defeated Nigerian number one squash player, Sodiq Taiwo by three straight set of 11-7, 11-9, 11-9, said Taiwo was a matured squash players whose style of play showed that he has great potentials to make Nigeria proud but he needs the support of sports philanthropists, corporate bodies among others to attract international ranking.

"Next week, I will be in Malaysia for my first international event for the season, so this will give me confidence. I came here, I didn’t drop one game. It was focused and this is what I needed before group for the PSA international circuit.

The money goes for training through a Nigeria friend in the UK. I didn’t played in last year because it clashed with the US open".

The competition is good. The Briton squash player, who will feature in next week’s international squash competitions in Malaysia, said star prize money of ten million dollars would afford him to sponsor himself to series of international competitions since he does not have a corporate sponsor.