In a bid to bring back the game of squash from the doldrums, the Oyo State Squash Association, under the leadership of ex-international Adewale Salako, has embarked on a massive revival of the game, with renovations of the abandoned squash court at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex costing more than 100 million naira.
It has been more than 25 years since Oyo State last won any medal in Squash at the national level, necessitating the massive renovations that began with the replacement of the roof, the restoration of electricity and electrical fittings, and the replacement of the court’s wooden floor and plumbing with the provision of a motorized well, air conditioners, solar power installations, security lights for a safe environment, and the painting of the court.
The project, according to the Oyo Squash Association Chairman, is being funded with the donations from Southwest Squash Stakeholders, which comprises eminent personalities including Wale Salako, Chairman; Kunle Adebiyi; Segun and Regina Ogunjimi; Obafemi Shittu; Olatunde Olajide; and Daniel Enaholo;.
Others are Tope Miriki, a Trustee; Alhaji Tajudeen Taiwo; Prince Adekunle; Ms. Sarah Nwokidu; Elder Abimola Adisa, (Trustee member); Mr. Dayo Salako; Wole Anifowose, the Vice Chairman; Mr. Okoya Adesina; Mr. Gbenga Adebiyi; Sakirat Adeniran; Funsho Ogunkeye, (Trustee member); Seun Salako, the State Coach; and Olaitan Alabi, the Secretary of the association.
Addressing newsmen on the development, Adewale Salako, who was the State and National Junior Squash Champion in the eighties and also a senior nationally ranked squash player before moving to England in the early nineties, said his aim is to bring back the good old days when we had the likes of Professor Tayo Talabi, Segun Ogunjimi, Pastor Robin Jegede, Kunle Adebiyi, Femi & Dayo Salako, Demola Daini, Yemi Olorunniwo, Femi Ogunyemi, the late Taofeek Afolabi, the late Kayode Alogbo, and many others representing and winning laurels for the old Oyo State and Nigeria.
“We, as an association, want to bring back integrity, accountability, and commitment pioneered by our squash fathers in the persons of the late Vincent Agha, the late Engr. Niyi Olumide, the late Bayo Beckley, Mr. Olu Fajemisin, Engr. Tokun, and many others running the State Squash Association then, and having personally benefited from the philanthropy of the past contributions of these men, I would want to see the current young players being given the same opportunities to reach their potentials and achieve in life.”
He added that “since we came on board about three months ago, our aim is to have a structure in place in order to manage, measure, and review our activities. Our priority is to renovate one of the courts at Adamasingba Stadium, which has been neglected and allowed to deteriorate for some time. I’m pleased to report that the renovation is now more than fifty percent complete.
