Squash Game Secret Of My Fitness At 84 - Obasanjo

 

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji

ABEOKUTA - A former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed regular playing of Squash Game to his rejuvenated fitness even at the age of 84.

Chief Obasanjo who disclosed this on Saturday at the finals of the 3rd Obasanjo National Squash Championship held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital said Squash remains a high-level fitness game compared to other games.

"Those of you who probably feel that game of squash is something fearful, you can see the beauty, you can see the excitement, you can see the interest. It is a very beautiful game. I am addicted to it and when people ask me at the young age of 84, I'm still playing squash, so when people ask me what is the secret, it is the grace of God and squash is part of it.

"But it is a game that does not require too much time. If you're a very busy person, if you have a game of squash for one hour, you must be sweating. There are other games when you play them for 3hours you don't even know you're playing the game, but you don't need expensive tools to play Squash, just the racket, and the ball."

Obasanjo who expressed delight at the large turnout of participants at this year's championship, commended Kwara, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states for their sterling performance in the just concluded championship.

He, however, revealed that plans are underway to make Ogun state unbeatable in the game of squash in the next 3years.

"Another thing that delighted me on this particular edition and I want to commend them is the turnout from Kwara, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states, I think it's a challenge for other states. But let me particularly mention Kwara state and I want to state this, that Kwara is surprising most of us, I want to say, 3-4 years now, Ogun state will beat them all.

"We have plans that we will soon put into action and when we put that plan into action, we will catch them young, we will give them continuous training, they will have continuous exposure, they will have regular competition and they will excel, that's why I said we have something in the offing for the rest of the country.

"Maybe we need to also get sponsors for the maintenance of our players, but I want to thank Kwara and please give my regards to the Governor for the presentation given to me," Obasanjo averred.

Meanwhile, the duo of Delta State's Adegoke Onaopemipo and Busayo Olatunji  emerged champions of the men and women category of 3rd Obasanjo National Squash Championship, while Dominion Utukpe of Lagos state and Mistura Durosinlorun of Edo State came victorious in both U-16 Boys and Girls category.

Gabriel Funmilayo of Kwara state came first runner up in the Men's final having to Adegoke Onaopemipo of Delta 2-11, 8-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7, while Rofiat AbdulAzeez from Kwara state also came second in the Women's category.