Kwara Dominates 3rd JGM National Squash Tournament as Sponsor Hails Governor AbdulRazaq’s Sports Investment
2 min read
Kwara State’s young squash talents delivered a commanding performance at the 3rd JGM All Nigeria U-16 and U-19 National Squash Tournament, securing three gold, one silver, and one bronze medals. The event was staged at the Bolakale Adisa Mogaji Squash Court inside the George Agbazika Inih Stadium, Ilorin.
In the U-19 boys’ final, Shuaib Giwa of Kwara State dominated Joshua Daniel from Lagos, winning convincingly in straight sets: 11-4, 11-3, 11-1. In the U-19 girls’ final, Aisha Lawal added another gold for Kwara, overcoming Lagos’ Zainab Ishola with scores of 11-4, 11-5, 11-8.
Although Joshua Daniel redeemed himself in the U-16 boys’ category by defeating Bishop Etibong, the U-16 girls’ final saw another triumph for Kwara State, as Aisha AbdulRaheem outplayed Loveth Balogun in straight sets: 11-7, 11-9, 11-6.
Speaking after the finals, tournament sponsor Emmanuel Oyeniyi Oyewumi praised the Kwara State Sports Commission for hosting the event, describing the Bolakale Adisa Mogaji Squash Court as the best squash facility in Nigeria.
Oyeniyi also commended the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his outstanding investment in sports development. “Many governors are investing in sports, including my governor,” he said, “but Governor AbdulRahman is one of the best. The facilities here, especially the Bolakale Adisa Mogaji Squash Courts, are a clear testament to that.”
He emphasized that the JGM Squash Tournament aims to nurture emerging talents, promote the growth of squash, and foster stronger community engagement.
The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji, also thanked the sponsor for choosing Ilorin as the host city. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to partnering with stakeholders to boost sports development across the state.
Mogaji further urged various sports associations to leverage the enabling environment created by Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration by attracting sponsorships and organizing more grassroots programs and competitions.
The four-day tournament attracted participants from seven states—Lagos, Abia, Ogun, Oyo, FCT, Kwara—and three squash academies. It concluded with the presentation of medals and prizes to the winners and runners-up after several days of intense and thrilling competition.
