Faidat Soliu of Kwara, Edo’s Samson Asade, Moniola Gege and Telema Princewill emerged among the standout champions as the 20th Merchant Express, Global Cargo and Turkish Cargo Airlines Squash Tournament ended on Saturday, August 8, at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja.
The tournament, which began on July 27, featured fierce rallies, powerful serves and intense competition across the Professional Squash Association (PSA), closed-event and inter-club categories.
From left, Captain Samuel Caulcrick, Deputy Managing Director, Merchant Express Global Cargo Services, Mr Seyi Adewummi, President Lagos Country Club, Muazu Dahir, Captain Squash Section LCC, Samson Asade, winner of the 6th PSA Tournament, Captain Shina Akinwenwa, Managing Director, Merchant Express Global Cargo Services, Mr Kingsley Nwokoma, General Manager Operations and Chairman, Squash Section, Lagos Country Club, Mr. Sesan Asani.
The competition was the sixth edition of the Merchant Express PSA tournament and the 20th Inter-Club Invitational, attracting some of Nigeria’s leading squash players across different age and experience categories.
From left, Muazu Dahir, Captain Squash Section LCC, Captain Samuel Caulcrick, Deputy Managing Director, Merchant Express Global Cargo Services, Mr Seyi Adewummi, President Lagos Country Club, Faidat Saliu, winner of 6th Female PSA tournament, Captain Shina Akinwenwa, Managing Director, Merchant Express Global Cargo Services, Mr Kingsley Nwokoma, General Manager Operations and Chairman, Squash Section, Lagos Country Club, Mr. Sesan Asani.
Soliu was particularly impressive in the PSA Ladies category, defeating Awawu Balogun of Lagos/OG to claim the title. Zainab Ishola of Lagos and Ese Ogheneotuyo of Edo shared third place.
From left: Captain Samuel Caulcrick, Deputy Managing Director, Merchant Express Global Cargo Services, Mr Seyi Adewummi, President Lagos Country Club, Clement Efapokire(Ikoyi Club), winner Veteran Category of Squash Open Invitational tournament, Mr Kingsley Nwokoma, General Manager Operations, Captain Shina Akinwenwa, Managing Director, Merchant Express Global Cargo Services, and Chairman, Squash Section, Lagos Country Club, Mr. Sesan Asani.
In the PSA Men’s category, Asade of Edo produced a commanding performance to defeat Shuaib Giwa of Kwara and take the championship. Lagos players Faruq Suleiman and Joshua Daniel finished joint third.
The closed event also delivered several exciting contests, with Gege emerging champion in the Ladies category. Ochucko Ikpkinipi was runner-up, while Doris Lewis finished third.
In the Men’s category, Bunmi Apata of Lagos Country Club lived up to expectations by winning the title. Dayo Tifase finished second, while Mike Adekoya and Onemena Ikpkinipi shared third place.
From left, Captain Samuel Caulcrick, Deputy Managing Director, Merchant Express Global Cargo Services, Mr Seyi Adewummi, President Lagos Country Club, Sodi Pepple (Ikoyi Club), winner of Super Veteran, Squash Open Invitational tournament, Captain Shina Akinwenwa, Managing Director, Merchant Express Global Cargo Services, Chairman Squash Section, Lagos Country Club, Mr. Sesan Asani.
Murphy Yusuf won the Veterans category after defeating Muazu Dahir in the final, with Teriba Adeboye and Udoh Nkana finishing joint third.
Funmi Bamkole claimed the Super Veterans title, while Mike Adekoya settled for second. Ladi Smith and Taiwo Sanni shared third position.
The Club Invitational section also produced a series of competitive encounters involving players from clubs across the country.
Sodi People of Ikoyi won the Super Veterans category ahead of Mike Adekoya of Lagos Country Club, while Telema Princewill of Port Harcourt and Kayode Wallace of Eko shared third place.
In the Veterans category, Clement Efapokire of Ikoyi defeated Gbenga Ilori of UNILAG to win the title. Dele Obasuyi of Benin and Billy Joseph of IRC finished joint third.
Tayo Oladipupo of UNILAG emerged champion in the Club Invitational Men’s category, finishing ahead of Shittu Adeola of IRC. Apata of Lagos Country Club and Emmanuel Kehinde of LSPSC shared third place.
A tournament official described the event as an important platform for developing Nigerian squash and strengthening ties among clubs.
“This tournament has continued to grow, and what we have witnessed this year shows that Nigerian squash is moving in the right direction. The quality of competition has been impressive,” the official said.
From left, Muazu Dahir, Captain Squash Section LCC, Captain Samuel Caulcrick, Deputy Managing Director, Merchant Express Global Cargo Services, Mr Seyi Adewummi, President Lagos Country Club, Tayo Oladipupo(Unilag), winner of the Club open Invitational Tournament, Captain Shina Akinwenwa, Managing Director, Merchant Express Global Cargo Services, Mr Kingsley Nwokoma, General Manager Operations and Chairman, Squash Section, Lagos Country Club, Mr. Sesan Asani.
Beyond the trophies and individual achievements, the 2026 tournament further demonstrated the depth and growing appeal of squash in Nigeria, bringing together PSA professionals, club players, veterans and super veterans on the same competitive stage.
The organisers also emphasised the importance of sustaining the tournament, which has become a regular feature of the Nigerian squash calendar.
With the champions crowned and the final points settled, attention will now turn to the next edition, as players look to return stronger and compete for honours once again.
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