Squash Federation member tasks private sector on sponsorship

Category: Sports Published on Monday, 11 February 2013 05:00 Written by Nan

Alhaji Ahmed Erena, a board member of Nigeria Squash Racket Federation (NSRF), has urged the private sector to assist in promoting the game to world class.

Erena spoke to newsmen on Saturday shortly after inaugurating a two-week National squash camping in Minna.

He said the private sector should partner the the Federal Government by investing in the game to making it world class.

Erena expressed concern over the relegation of squash to the background.

“I, therefore, encourage private spirited individuals to support government to promote squash game in Nigeria.

“Relegating squash, one of the globally recognised sports to the background, is not only killing the game but indirectly creating joblessness among the youth, who are engaged in the game,’’ he said.

Erena said he decided to sponsor the camping as part of efforts to reposition the game to meet world standard.

He said it was also aimed at selecting the best players to represent the country in Namibia later in the month.

He was optimistic that the players and calibre of coaches and other officials in camp would work to ensure that Nigeria got the best position at the international rating.

The board member said that the camping would keep players abreast with global trends on squash.

“Some people believe that squash is dying, but I believe we only need updating of trends in the game.

“This is what we are trying to check by bringing players to this national camp to build both players and officials to be at par with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

“It was due to the noticeable hiccups threatening Squash that prompted the Zonal Vice President of the Federation, Gen. Yusuf Shehu to organize an Umpires’ Course in Calabar,’’ he added.

He noted that high level of indiscipline had crept into the rank and file of players of the game across the country.

“squash will bounce back better than what it used to be’’.

“Squash is bouncing back bigger and will feature in the coming 2015 Olympics unlike before when little or nothing was heard about the game. (NAN)