Sports

₦500,000 Up for Grabs as Hadison PSA Tournament Serves Off in Abuja

Published

1 month ago

April 8, 2026

Joel Ajayi

Abuja is set to host one of its biggest squash events in recent years as the inaugural Haniel Hadison and Friends PSA Satellite Tournament gets underway today at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The organisers confirmed that the Professional Squash Association (PSA)-sanctioned competition will feature top local talents competing for substantial prize money, with winners in the men’s and ladies categories set to take home ₦500,000 and ₦400,000 respectively.

Speaking at a pre-tournament briefing, Technical Director of the Nigeria Squash Federation, Jonah Attah, described the event as a strategic intervention aimed at addressing the lack of competitive opportunities for Nigerian players.

He noted that the tournament—spearheaded by former squash star Haniel Hadison—reflects a deep understanding of the challenges athletes face, particularly limited access to ranking events.

“This PSA-sanctioned competition gives players a rare opportunity to earn international ranking points while competing on home soil,”he said.

“ It is also one of the most significant squash tournaments held in Abuja and northern Nigeria in recent times.”

The tournament boasts strong participation, with 57 players confirmed in the men’s draw and 28 in the ladies category after final entries were vetted.

Beyond prize money, organisers have also provided accommodation for all participants, a move widely praised as a major boost for inclusivity and accessibility.

A detailed prize structure ensures broad financial rewards: Men’s category: Winner (₦500,000), runner-up (₦250,000), with earnings extending down to ₦50,000 for round-of-32 players.

Ladies category: Winner (₦400,000), runner-up (₦250,000), with ₦25,000 guaranteed for early-round participants.

Attah emphasized that the initiative is backed by a global network of supporters, including Nigerians in the diaspora, and builds on more than two decades of grassroots sports development.

“This is more than a tournament—it’s a platform for youth development and long-term growth of squash in Nigeria,” he added.

The event has also drawn support from key stakeholders. Representatives from the National Sports Commission called for increased private sector involvement, while players’ representatives expressed confidence in a highly competitive outing.

Organisers have assured participants and spectators of robust arrangements, including security, medical coverage, and live streaming of matches from both indoor and underground courts.

Matches begin daily from 9 a.m., with scheduling adjustments expected in later rounds to optimize player recovery and enhance spectator experience.

The tournament will run from April 8 to April 11, further cementing Abuja’s growing reputation as a hub for elite squash competition in Nigeria.

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Sports

Badminton Federation of Nigeria Targets Grassroots Growth, Coaches’ Capacity Building

Published

19 hours ago

May 14, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, says the federation has launched an ambitious reform programme anchored on structured planning, grassroots development, and long-term athlete progression across all levels of the sport.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, after two-day retreat at ANOCA building where board members, technical experts, and stakeholders gathered under the theme: Repositioning Badminton for Sustainable Growth’ gathered to chart a way forward for the Game.

Orbih said the sessions were designed to align stakeholders on a unified four-year strategic roadmap focused on improving governance, strengthening performance systems, and expanding participation nationwide.

He noted that key priorities discussed include technical development, coaching education, athlete welfare, and a more coordinated grassroots structure through school-based programmes.

According to him, the federation has approved the creation of 11 committees to drive implementation of its reforms, with emphasis on accountability, coordination, and measurable performance outcomes.

“We wanted a collective approach where decisions are jointly owned and implemented, with clear and measurable results.

‘’A major pillar of the plan is grassroots badminton development, particularly in schools.’’

He explained that while outreach programmes have existed, the federation is now shifting toward a more structured and data-driven approach with wider national coverage.

Orbih disclosed that the federation currently reaches an average of 25 to 30 schools per zonal outreach programme, but plans are underway to expand coverage across more states and increase consistency of engagement.

He also highlighted gaps in coaching capacity, noting that the number of certified coaches in Nigeria remains relatively low compared to other countries. The federation, he said, will intensify coaching education and certification programmes to close the gap and improve technical standards.

“We have over 100 coaches in Nigeria, but many are not actively engaged in continuous training. We want to strengthen that system and raise the standard,” he added.

The BFN president further confirmed the introduction of structured age-grade development pathways, covering under-12, under-15, under-19, and other youth categories to ensure seamless progression from grassroots to elite level.

President added that, federation plans to organise more age-group tournaments to sustain player development and improve competitive exposure.

Speaking also, the Technical Director of the federation, Tunde Kashim, also emphasised that the technical department remains central to the reform agenda, describing it as the “engine room” of badminton development in the country.

He said the department is reviewing player databases, coaching structures, and competition pathways to ensure a stronger performance system.

Kashim added that efforts will be made to upgrade coaching levels across the country, including progression through certification tiers, while also addressing the declining number of active coaches in the system.

He further revealed plans to expand youth competitions across multiple age categories, including under-12, under-15, under-16, and under-19 levels, aimed at strengthening the talent pipeline from schools to elite competition.

According to him, the federation is also working with state stakeholders to improve facilities and increase participation, while preparing for upcoming national and continental engagements.

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