By Oluwatoyin Mathnuel
The Eko Club Squash Section in Surulere, Lagos, came alive from June 26th to 28th as it hosted the first edition of the Eko Club National U16 & U19 Boys and Girls Squash Tournament, attracting over 100 young players from across the country in a spirited contest of athleticism, skill, and legacy.
The tournament, which featured boys and girls in two age categories — under 16 and under 19 — was held in honour of the late Adejuwon Bankole Adenuga, FCIArb, Esv, a former Chairman of the Squash Section of Eko Club and a passionate advocate for youth development through sport.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Sholape Adenuga, wife of the late Adenuga, described the tournament as a continuation of her husband’s lifelong commitment to youth and squash.
“My husband loved sports — especially squash. He believed youth development could be best achieved through sport. This tournament, held in his memory, is a continuation of that belief,” she said.
“It’s fulfilling to see over 50 young players compete. His passion still echoes in their footsteps.”
The tournament featured participants from 10 states and 3 clubs, all competing in a Nigeria Squash Federation-rated championship. The competition progressed through elimination rounds, quarterfinals, and semifinals, culminating in a grand finale and award presentation on June 28.
In the Under-19 category, Daniel Friday
(Headquarters) and Hawawu Balogun (Ogun State) emerged as champions. The runners-up, Shuaib Giwa and Zainab Ishola, both from Lagos State, are notably Under-16 players, demonstrating remarkable performance beyond their age bracket.
Also in attendance was Mr. Tajudeen Olanrewaju Taiwo, nephew of the late Adenuga, who commended the organisation of the tournament and pledged that the event would become an annual fixture on Nigeria’s sports calendar.
“This isn’t a one-off. The Juwon Adenuga Memorial Squash Tournament will hold annually during school holidays to encourage more youth participation,” Taiwo said.
He also praised the efforts of the Nigerian Squash Federation, citing improvements in technical development and global best practices under its current leadership.
Chairman: Tournament Marks a New Chapter for Youth Squash
Chairman of the Eko Club Squash Section, Mr. Olugbenga Feyisetan, described the event as historic for the club.
“This is the first time Eko Club is hosting a national tournament. The turnout has been impressive, the matches competitive, and the standard we set has raised the bar,” he said.
Feyisetan emphasized the importance of investing in youth development at ages 16 and 19 — a crucial stage for grooming professional athletes.
“None of our players is currently in the world top 100, which disqualifies them from competing professionally. With squash set to debut at the Olympics, now is the time to groom talents who can represent Nigeria at international levels,” he noted.
A Fitting Tribute to a Lifelong Squash Advocate
The late Adejuwon Adenuga, who passed away on June 5th, 2024, on the Eko Club squash court, was widely known for his unwavering support of grassroots sports development. The tournament served as both a tribute and a launchpad for fulfilling his vision of elevating squash in Nigeria.
“Many of us here are not even club members, but Eko Club opened its doors to support this cause,” said Feyisetan. “We’re extremely grateful to the Club, our sponsors, and the Adenuga family.”
The tournament recorded zero injuries, full accommodation and feeding for participants, and performances that exceeded expectations at the junior level.
Looking Ahead
The success of the maiden edition has laid a strong foundation for what many hope will become a cornerstone of junior squash in Nigeria.
“It may be the first, but it doesn’t feel like a beginning,” one official commented. “This already feels like a tradition in motion.”
With every edition to come, organizers say the legacy of Adejuwon “Uncle Ju” Adenuga will not just be remembered in words — but lived out in every match played by the next generation of squash champions.
Special acknowledgements were extended to:
Eko Club Squash Section
The Adenuga Family
Lagos State Sports Commission
Nigerian Squash Federation
All sponsors and supporters nationwide
The Eko Club National Youth Squash Tournament is expected to return next year, bigger, better, and with even greater promise for Nigeria’s squash future.
