…20th edition ends at Lagos Country Club as top players battle for honours
By Kunle Ologundudu,
It was a week of fierce rallies, big serves and intense competition as the 20th Merchant Express, Global Cargo and Turkish Cargo Airlines Squash Tournament came to a thrilling end at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, on Saturday, August 8.
The tournament, which served as the 6th Merchant Express PSA and 20th Inter-Club Invitational Tournament, started on July 27 and brought together some of the country’s finest squash players across various categories.
When the final ball was struck, Faidat Soliu of Kwara and Samson Asade of Edo had emerged the stars of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) categories, while Bunmi Apata of Lagos Country Club claimed the closed-event men’s crown.
Soliu proved too strong in the PSA Ladies category, defeating Awawu Balogun of Lagos/OG to lift the title. Zainab Ishola of Lagos and Ese Ogheneotuyo of Edo settled for joint third place.
Mr Kingsley Nwokoma, General Manager Operations and Chairman, Squash Section, Lagos Country Club, Mr. Sesan Asani.
In the PSA Men’s category, Asade of Edo produced a strong display to beat Shuaib Giwa of Kwara and emerge champion. Lagos pair Faruq Suleiman and Joshua Daniel shared third position.
The closed event also produced its share of excitement.
Moniola Gege emerged champion in the Ladies category, with Ochucko Ikpkinipi finishing runner-up and Doris Lewis in third place.
In the Men’s event, Bunmi Apata lived up to expectations to claim the top prize, with Dayo Tifase finishing second. Mike Adekoya and Onemena Ikpkinipi shared third place.
The veterans were not left out of the action, as Murphy Yusuf defeated Muazu Dahir to win the Veteran category. Teriba Adeboye and Udoh Nkana finished joint third.
For the Super Veterans, Funmi Bamkole emerged winner, while Mike Adekoya took the runner-up position. Ladi Smith and Taiwo Sanni shared third place.
The Club Invitational section also lived up to its billing, with players from different clubs fighting for supremacy.
Mr Kingsley Nwokoma, General Manager Operations and Chairman, Squash Section, Lagos Country Club, Mr. Sesan Asani.
Sodi Pepple of Ikoyi won the Super Veteran category ahead of Mike Adekoya of Lagos Country Club, while Telema Princewill of Port Harcourt and Kayode Wallace of Eko finished joint third.
In the Veteran category, Clement Efapokire of Ikoyi emerged champion, beating Gbenga Ilori of UNILAG to the title. Dele Obasuyi of Benin and Billy Joseph of IRC shared third place.
The Club Invitational Men’s title went to Tayo Oladipupo of UNILAG, who finished ahead of Shittu Adeola of IRC. Bunmi Apata of LCC and Emmanuel Kehinde of LSPSC jointly occupied third place.
The tournament’s successful conclusion underlined the growing strength of squash in Nigeria, while the mix of PSA professionals, veterans, super veterans and club players provided a competitive stage for players across generations.
Speaking on the tournament, a tournament official said the competition had continued to provide an important platform for players to test their skills and strengthen relationships among squash clubs.
Mr Kingsley Nwokoma, General Manager Operations and Chairman, Squash Section, Lagos Country Club, Mr. Sesan Asani.
“This tournament has continued to grow, and what we have witnessed this year shows that Nigerian squash is moving in the right direction. The quality of competition has been impressive,” the official said.
For the organisers, the 2026 edition was not just about winners and trophies but also about sustaining a tournament that has become a major fixture on the Nigerian squash calendar.
And with the final points settled and the champions crowned, attention now shifts to the next edition, with players already expected to return stronger and hungrier for glory.
