Olatunji of Lagos State defeated her sister, Busayo Olatunji three straight sets, 11-5, 13-11 and 11-6 to cart home the star prize of N50,000.
In the male category, Gabriel of Kwara State saw off the challenge of Lagos player, Onaopemipo Adegoke 3-1 sets, 11-4, 7-11, 11-7 and 11-7 to win the competition which also featured Nigeria's number one Sodiq Taiwo of NSCDC and number two, Lanre Abdulrahman of Lagos State. Gabriel following his heroics clinched home the star prize of N75,000.
The Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development in Kwara State, Mr Kale Ayo, who represented Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, while speaking on the occasion, said that government will not leave any stone unturned to engage the youth in the state meaningfully.
Ahmed, called on the corporate individuals and organisations to support the efforts of the government in promoting youth development.
He commended the sponsor of the championship, just as he charged him to do more by constructing a squash court, to complement the existing facilities.
Also, Yinka Duro, who represented the President of the Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF), Boye Oyerinde, commended the sponsor as he clamoured for more private sector participation in youth and sports development.
The North Central representative on the NSF board, Honourable Nyam Pa Darreng, commended the sponsor of the competition, adding that the board would encourage more private sector support for the sport.
The sponsor of the classic, Dr Alimi Abdul-Razaq, who expressed delight at the standard of the competition said that his family would continue to support the development of sports.
He stated that his family would be willing to exploit the public private partnership arrangement on the construction of additional squash courts at the Kwara State Stadium Complex.
Dr Abdul-Razaq also said that the gesture would extend to other sports, adding that sports is a tool for the elimination of social vices in the society.
Earlier in his address, Chairman of Kwara State Squash Association, Professor Yinka Buhari, thanked the government and the sponsor, for giving youngsters the opportunity to showcase their talents, and the association the opportunity to upgrade the facilities and bringing first-class squash and entertainment to the state. While congratulating AGF Abdul-Razaq on his 90th birthday, he called for the sustenance of the sponsorship of the championship.
No fewer than 38 players from six states, host Kwara, Plateau, Oyo, Ogun, Delta and Lagos states competed in the competition, including the Classic Plate that was sponsored by Professor Tayo Talabi of the University of Ilorin.
First winner to the 16th placed players in both the male and female categories won cash prizes in the classic.
The joint third placed players got N35,000 each, as fifth to eight placed players got N20,000 each, while those ranked ninth to 16th were rewarded with N10,000 each.
The AGF Abdul-Razaq North Central Invitational Squash Open Classic was staged as part of the 90th birthday celebration of Alhaji AGF Abdul-Razaq (SAN), the first lawyer from Northern Nigeria and former Minister of State Transport.
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Caption: Yemisi Olatunji also won the AGF championship in Ilorin.
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