By Aderonke Ojo

Connor Tuodolo, Founder of the Squash Premier League and the Beacon of Positivity Foundation (BOPF), says the initiative aims to use squash as a tool to take children off the streets.

It is also to empower them with life skills and opportunities to shape them into responsible citizens.

Tuodolo said this to newsmen at the opening of the second edition of the Squash Premier League at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament, themed “Breeding the Next Generation of Champions”, attracted 105 young athletes from squash academies across the country.

The week-long competition, which runs from Aug. 3 to Aug. 8, features the Under-15, Under-19, senior club members and doubles categories.

According to Tuodolo, the league was established not only to produce elite squash players but also to provide young Nigerians with positive opportunities through sports.

“We want organisations that believe in youth development to join us in taking children off the streets, empowering them through sports and creating opportunities for them to become productive citizens,” he said.

He said the initiative grew from his experience as a squash player, and his conviction that Nigeria needed a sustainable grassroots platform where young athletes could develop their talents through regular training and competition.

“What keeps us going is seeing these children smile and discover their potential. That is the greatest motivation for us,” he said.

Tuodolo said the league had recorded steady growth since its inception in 2025, with participation increasing from 26 athletes in the maiden edition to 105 competitors this season.

“When we started, we had only 26 athletes. The next competition attracted 45 players, followed by about 50, then 69, and now we have 105 participants. That shows the league is growing and that there is hope for squash in Nigeria,” he said.

He explained that the organisers deliberately limited participation to squash academies to encourage coaches to establish and strengthen grassroots development programmes across the country.

According to him, the league is organised three times annually during school holidays to provide young players with regular opportunities to compete and assess their development.

Tuodolo said the competition also incorporates coaching and officiating clinics for both players and officials in order to improve participants technical knowledge and understanding of the rules of the game.

He, however, identified inadequate funding as the biggest challenge confronting the initiative.

“Our biggest challenge is funding. Although I have a committed team working with me, many of them sacrifice their personal time and resources simply because they believe in giving these children opportunities,” he said.

He added that donor support had yet to meet the financial demands of the expanding competition.

“I had hoped donor funding would cover most of our expenses, but because the platform is still developing, much of the financial responsibility falls on me. It has been difficult, but giving up is not an option,” he said.

The league founder appealed to corporate organisations, particularly those in the oil and gas sector, to partner with the organisers through sponsorship.

“My appeal is to corporate organisations to support this initiative. By doing so, they will not only sustain the league but also invest in youth development and nation-building through sports,” he said.

Tuodolo added that BOPF also carries out community outreach programmes, including free eye tests and the distribution of medicated glasses, as part of its commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable people.

He expressed optimism that with sustained support, the league would become one of Africa’s leading grassroots squash competitions.

Some of the young participants described the championship as an opportunity to pursue their sporting dreams.

15 -year-old Edna Philip from Plateau said she hoped the competition would help her realise her ambition of becoming one of the world’s best squash players.

“I have been playing squash for three years, and I hope to become one of the best squash players in the world. I am grateful to my parents and my coach for supporting me,” she said.

16-year-old Nanme Rindaps, who finished as runner-up in the previous edition, said he returned to Abuja determined to improve his performance and win the title.

“I came here to learn new techniques, improve my game and compete for victory,” he said.

Another participant, Praise Chukwuemeka, thanked her parents for supporting her sporting career, expressing confidence that competing against stronger opponents would improve her performance.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh