Iguodala, James Shine Early as 2025 Prime Atlantic Squash Tournament Heats Up

Posted : 10 June 2025

Desmond Iguodala of Edo State defeated Lagos' Timilehin Oladapo 11-6, 11-5, 11-7 (3-0) to advance to the Round of 32 at the ongoing 4th Prime Atlantic Squash Tournament, held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Squash Court, Surulere, Lagos.

Promise James also progressed with a commanding 11-4, 11-9, 11-1 (3-0) win over Peter Adeleke, showcasing dominance and control throughout the match.

In a tightly contested five-game thriller, Nasiru Abdulrahman edged out Wisdom Nzei 11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 2-11, 11-9 (3-2), proving his mental strength under pressure.

In the U-19 category, Lanre Yusuf comfortably dispatched Devine Nworah 11-5, 12-10, 12-10 (3-0), while Yusuf Babalola also advanced with a hard-fought 12-10, 11-9, 12-10 win over Richard Ejiro.

Speaking after his match, Iguodala expressed delight at participating in the tournament and noted that it helped him maintain competitive sharpness while preparing for future high-level events. Nworah, despite his loss, acknowledged his opponent's superiority and vowed to train harder.

“It was a tough match. My opponent dominated early and exploited my weaknesses,” Nworah said. “But I’m not discouraged. I love this game and just need to work harder to do better next time.”

Chairman of the Lagos State Squash Association (LSSA), Tomi Falase, described the 4th edition of the Prime Atlantic Squash Tournament as a defining platform for talent development. He noted that the event has consistently provided visibility for emerging players and impressed state coaches, especially following Team Lagos’ strong showing at the recent National Sports Festival in Ogun.

“We want to keep players active, focused on training, and committed to improving their skills,” said Falase, calling for more corporate sponsorship to help build world-class Nigerian athletes.

Yusuf Durosinolorun, Technical Director of the LSSA, also praised the tournament’s organisers for their continued support. He highlighted the value of the competition in helping young players express their natural talent and gain exposure.

“Matches on day one already show we have talent that can go far—we just need to keep nurturing them,” he added.

The 2025 Prime Atlantic Squash Championship began on June 9 and runs through June 14 at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Iguodala, James Shine Early as 2025 Prime Atlantic Squash Tournament Heats Up

Desmond Iguodala of Edo State defeated Lagos' Timilehin Oladapo 11-6, 11-5, 11-7 (3-0) to advance to the Round of 32 at the ongoing 4th Prime Atlantic Squash Tournament, held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Squash Court, Surulere, Lagos.

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