Lagos Squash Classic Preview: Event Provides Opportunity For Ajagbe And Others

The Lagos State Squash Classic returns to the Challenger Tour for the first time since 2018, and Nigerian No.1 Babatunde Ajagbe believes that the event returning to his home nation means a lot for all players in the country.

The tournament was last held five years, with Egypt’s Karim El Hammamy taking the title that year. This will be the first time the Tour has returned to Nigeria since, and it will provide an opportunity for not just Ajagbe, but other Nigerians as well.

“The last time we had an event was 2018 which is pretty long. So it means a lot to not just me, but also other players in the country. It’s an opportunity for them to play with other professionals from other countries,” Ajagbe explained.

“Most of the players watch SQUASHTV and other streaming platforms but this time, they will be playing against some of these players. This tournament will also help them to improve their world ranking which is the most important factor for staging the tournament.

“I’m very excited because it’s been such a long time since I’ve competed in my country. So I’m looking forward to the home advantage.”

Ajagbe will be the No.5 seed on home soil this week, having played just the one tournament so far in 2023. However, he believes that he is still playing good enough squash to challenge the top guys.

“I think I feel very fine with the way I’m playing right now. I’ve not played a lot of tournaments this year but I still do match play and train with couple of other professionals.

“My first tournament in 2023 was the Atlanta Open and it feels great to be playing tournaments again. It didn’t go the way I expected it but it’s a good start.”

England’s Curtis Malik will be the top seed for the men’s Challenger 10 level competition, with younger brother Perry also in the top four seeds. They will be joined by Egypt’s Mazen Gamal and the Czech Republic’s Martin Svec. Egypt’s Ziad Ibrahim and the French duo of Laszlo Godde and Laouenan Loaec will also be seeded.

This year, the tournament will also hold a women’s event for the first time, with Torrie Malik, the younger sibling of Curtis, as the top seed for the Challenger 5 level draw. France’s Lea Barbeau and the Egyptian duo of Malak Fathy and Mariam Ashraf will be the only other international players in the competition.

The rest of the women’s draw will be filled with Nigerian players, with Busayo Olatunji and Rofiat Abdulazeez as the two leading lights of women’s squash in the African nation.

The event takes place from Tuesday, May 9 to Saturday, May 13 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

Men’s First Round Draw: Lagos State Squash Classic
[1] Curtis Malik (ENG) – [Bye]
[WC] Ayomide Oladipupo Michael (NGR) v [9/16] Yusuf Elsherif (EGY)
[9/16] Sven Stettler (SUI) v [WC] Adegoke Onaopemipo (NGR)
[6] Ziad Ibrahim (EGY) – [Bye]
[7] Laszlo Godde (FRA) – [Bye]
[WC] Femi Shedara (NGR) v [9/16] Kehinde Samuel Temitope (NGR)
[9/16] Omar ElKattan (EGY) v Henrik Mustonen (FIN)
[4] Perry Mailk (ENG) – [Bye]
[3] Martin Svec (CZE) – [Bye]
Brice Nicolas (FRA) v [9/16] Jan Wipperfurth (GER)
[9/16] Manu Paquemar (FRA) v Seif Tamer (EGY)
[5] Babatunde Ajagbe (NGR) – [Bye]
[8] Laouenan Loaec (FRA) – [Bye]
Pradeep Malik (IND) v [9/16] Aaron Allpress (ENG)
[9/16] Gabriel Olufunmilayo (NGR) v Faruq Sulaimon (NGR)
[2] Mazen Gamal (EGY) – [Bye]

Women’s First Round Draw: Lagos State Squash Classic
[1] Torrie Malik (ENG) v [WC] Titlayo Akinleye (NGR)
[WC] Taiwo Ebifemi (NGR) v [6] Isaac Blessing (NGR)
[7] Mariam Ashraf (EGY) v [WC] Modupe Faniyi (NGR)
[WC] Mostural Durosinlorun (NGR) v [3] Busayo Olatunji (NGR)
[4] Rofiat Abdulazeez (NGR) v [WC] Udeme James (NGR)
[WC] Awawu Balogun (NGR) v [5] Malak Fathy (EGY)
[8] Favour Utukpe (NGR) v [WC] Delight Temple (NGR)
[WC] Idowu Ogunyemi (NGR) v [2] Lea Barbeau (FRA)