A former Nigerian international squash player, Longdi Dasbak, on Monday has called for increased efforts to encourage girls to take up squash, saying female participation in the sport remains very low.
Dasbak made the call on Monday during the second edition of the Squash Premier League at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B, in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the week-long tournament, themed ‘Breeding the Next Generation of Champions,’ began on Monday and will end on Aug. 8.
Dasbak described the league as a positive initiative that would significantly contribute to grassroots development and the growth of squash in Nigeria.
‘I would say this is a very good development, especially for grassroots squash, because that is where every successful sport begins.
‘We want to develop young players who will take the game to the next level while making squash more popular across the country. This league is another important way of promoting the sport,’ she said.
She said that participation had increased considerably since the league was introduced in 2025, adding that the growing number of children taking part showed that awareness of the sport was improving.
‘The first edition did not attract this number of participants, but now you can see many more children taking part. That shows awareness is increasing, and I believe it is a very positive development,’ she said.
Dasbak, who participated as one of the instructors at the coaching and officiating clinic organised by the tournament, said it was her first time that she will be speaking at the event.
She said she established the Dasby’s Sports Development Association in Plateau to create opportunities for girls, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds, to participate in sports.
According to her, the association also runs Dasby’s Squash Academy, where boys and girls aged six years and above receive training, with special emphasis on encouraging female participation.
‘Female participation in squash is still very low, and we have very few women actively playing the sport. That inspired me to establish the foundation in Plateau State,’ she said.(NAN).