England’s Grant Signs Up For Lagos International Squash Classics.

Former world’s top 10 rated player, England’s Adrian Grant has signed up for the Lagos International Squash Classics holding at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on November 13 to 16.

  Grant, winner of the 2012 Lagos Governor’s Cup will return to Nigeria to compete with other top 15 players in the main event of the classics. The runner’s up at the 2009 British National Championships after losing in the final to Nick Matthew and he is now ranked 20 in the world.

  The $40,000 prize money championship will also have current Nigeria top seeded players, Jonathan Peters and Yemisi Olatunji, while winners of 2012 National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012; Wale Amao and Ebifemi Taiwo of Lagos State will also be part of the tournament.

  However, prior to the main event, local players will compete in the qualifiers from this Thursday November 7 to 10 to secure places in the main event.

  16 male and eight female players will jostle for honours in the main event, while a referee training course to be handled by director of the referees’ committee of World Squash Federation (WSF), Rod Symington will also be part of the event.

  According to Chairman of the Lagos State Squash Association, Sanya Akindele, eight players would make it to the main draw from the qualifiers.

  “We shall expect the top 16 players, according to Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF) rankings to participate in the qualifiers. The top eight will qualify for the main draw of the tournament and we shall give wildcards to some players. We shall expect the top 16 players based on the NSF rankings to participate in the qualifiers. The top four will qualify for the main draw of the tournament. More players might have the opportunity to play in the main draws if the four international slots are not fully utilized,” he said.

  For the U-19 event, Akindele said: “This will be treated as an open and the top four players will qualify for the main draw of the tournament. More players might have the opportunity to play in the main draws if the four international slots are not fully utilised.”

  He added: “This laudable initiative by the Lagos State Government will give the local players an opportunity to compete against international players which can only give them further exposure and improve their game. There is a general excitement in the squash community on this tournament generally.”