Defending champion Clement Efakpokire and Ngozi-Pope Orewa emerged victorious at the 2026 Prime Atlantic Squash Closed Tournament after a week of high-level competition that ended on Saturday at Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos.
Efakpokire successfully defended his men’s singles title with a hard-fought victory over Papa Ibru in the final, securing back-to-back championships and further cementing his status among Nigeria’s leading squash players.
Speaking after his triumph, Efakpokire praised Prime Atlantic Limited for its long-standing commitment to the sport, describing the company’s sustained investment as crucial to the growth of squash in Nigeria.
“I want to thank the sponsors, Prime Atlantic, for standing by the game of squash. They have supported this tournament at Ikoyi Club for over ten years. In this economy, it is not easy for a company to continue investing in sports development, and we are grateful,” he said.
In the women’s final, Orewa defeated Nike Adebayo to lift the title after what she described as months of disciplined preparation and intensive training.
She expressed delight over the victory, saying the championship reflected the hard work invested before the tournament.
“Winning this championship is a great achievement for me. It took a lot of effort, practice and commitment to get here. I am grateful for the victory and look forward to many more championships,” Orewa said.
The veterans’ event also produced impressive performances, with Goke Adediran defeating Mabadeji Adeniyi to emerge champion. Adediran credited decades of experience for helping him navigate the demanding competition.
Having started playing squash at the age of 10 alongside his father, Adediran said confidence built over many years on the court proved decisive.
In the super veterans’ category, Sodi Pepple finished ahead of Mike Nwabuzor to claim the title.
Representing the tournament sponsors, Prime Atlantic Limited’s Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager, Oluwatomilayo Ariyo, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting sports development through its corporate social responsibility programmes.
According to Ariyo, squash remains one of the company’s flagship CSR initiatives, noting that Prime Atlantic has partnered with the Ikoyi Club championship for more than a decade while witnessing remarkable improvements in player quality and tournament standards.
Former captain and secretary of the Squash Section of Ikoyi Club 1938, Temitope Olubusi, described the competition as one of the country’s longest-running squash championships, highlighting its contribution to player development and public participation.
Olubusi also emphasised the health benefits associated with squash, saying the sport improves cardiovascular fitness, reflexes, coordination and mental alertness while remaining suitable for players across different age groups.
The tournament, staged from July 20 to July 25, ended with a closing ceremony and celebration at the Squash Ground Lounge inside Ikoyi Club 1938.
The latest edition reinforces Prime Atlantic’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s most consistent private-sector supporters of squash. Beyond sponsoring elite competitions, the company has helped sustain grassroots development by providing competitive platforms for emerging talents.
Previous editions have produced standout performers, including Yusuf Quadri, who captured both the senior men’s and Under-19 boys’ titles in an earlier Prime Atlantic tournament after defeating Farouk Sulaimon and Joshua Daniel respectively. In the women’s division that year, Rofiat Abdulazeez retained her title, while Aisha Abdulazeez won the Under-19 girls’ crown.
Officials say the continued partnership between corporate sponsors, Lagos sports authorities and the squash community is expected to further strengthen the sport’s profile in Nigeria and create more opportunities for young athletes to compete at national and international levels.
