Sports

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

Published

1 week 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

NSC, NCC Enter Bold Alliance to Make Nigeria E-Sports Capital – From Stadium to Server

Published

7 hours ago

April 17, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The National Sports Commission (NSC) is taking Nigerian sports beyond the track and pitch into the digital arena.

In a move that could redefine the future of sports development in the country, NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, on Thursday led a high-powered delegation on a strategic working visit to the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Hon. Idris Olorunbe.

The meeting aimed at forging a groundbreaking partnership to accelerate sports digitalisation and position Nigerian e-sports on par with global standards.

During the meeting, Hon. Olopade made it clear that the NSC is ready to embrace technology as a core driver of growth.

“Our intention is to work closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission to improve sports science, especially e-sports, through viable sponsorship. We are counting on the NCC to help deepen connectivity and attract the kind of corporate backing that modern sports demand.”
He further emphasized the need for private sector involvement.

“Corporate Social Responsibility must play a stronger role in sports development. We cannot build a 21st-century sports ecosystem without the tech and telecommunications sectors at the table. With strong cohesion between the NSC and NCC, there will be measurable improvement in sports sponsorship and digital infrastructure.”

“The NCC has a critical role to play in making e-sports work in Nigeria. From internet speed to gaming infrastructure, their support is essential if we want our athletes to compete and win on the global stage,” the DG added.

NCC Chairman, Hon. Idris Olorunbe, responded with a strong statement that set the tone for what could become a landmark partnership:“Everything that can be done in traditional sports can also be done in e-sports. The question is not if we will do it, but how we are going to do it.”

He also highlighted the economic potential of the collaboration.

“There is huge economic value attached to this synergy. What we are trying to build goes beyond sports, it touches youth employment, digital innovation, and national branding. It is commendable that the DG has taken this step.”

Hon. Olorunbe further stressed the shared national objective driving both agencies.“The essence of this collaboration is to make our country better. For the sake of our e-sports athletes, we must build gaming hubs. We must create the environment, bandwidth, and policies that allow Nigerian talent to thrive.”

Both parties agreed to establish a joint technical working group to develop a roadmap for sports digitalisation, e-sports league structuring, and a national framework for attracting sponsors into the digital sports ecosystem.

The NSC–NCC alliance marks a significant step, potentially the first formal collaboration between Nigeria’s sports and communications regulators to build a sustainable digital sports economy.

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