France, Egypt, 13 others sign-up for Lagos International Squash Classics

France, Egypt, 13 others sign-up for Lagos International Squash Classics

Zainab Tanimu-Kaduna, NIGERIA

Top squash playing countries in the world, France, Egypt, and 13 others beat the deadline of registration for the 2018 Lagos International Squash Classics.

The Lagos International Squash Classics returned to the Professional Squash Association (PSA) listing following the impressive staging of the last two editions by the Lagos State Government.

Egyptian players dominate the list of players that signed up for the $20,000 prize money tournament holding at the Molade-Okoya Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun on March 19 to 24.

Aside France and Egypt, other nations listed for the six-day tournament include England, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Ireland, Iraq, South Africa, Belgium, United States, Pakistan, India and Czech Republic.

The world ranking event would afford the players to amass points for their global rating.

Already, 12 men have been listed in the main draw while the only Nigerian among those that will begin their campaign from the first round is Tunde Ajagbe.

With five Nigerians male player expected to feature in the tournament with Ajagbe starting his campaign from the main draw while the four others led by national number one – Sodiq Taiwo will be hoping to get their passage to the main draw through the two-day qualifying round on March 19 and 20.

Like Ajagbe, Yemisi Olatunji is the only Nigerian that will start playing from the main draw among the six female players listed in the main draw.

Others Nigerian players will be aiming for the places in the main draw through the qualifying round.

The men’s category will share $15,000 while the women will be aiming for the $5000 purse.

With foreigners most times dominating the men’s event, local players are eager to turn the tide this year and they have started their preparation in readiness to claim the titles.