The 10th Annual Cargolux Merchant Express Inter-Club Squash Tournament, which commenced last Monday at the Squash Section of the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, came to an exciting end at the weekend.

Featuring gripping encounters with incredible display of squash skills, Haniel Hadison of the Lagos Country Club emerged champion of the Club Players Men Category.

He was in his elements when he trounced the defending champion of the category, Tunji Agbeleye of Unilag Senior Staff Club 3-2 in an energy-sapping final that thrilled the crowded Squash Section of the club.

Mike Nwabuzor of Ikoyi Club clinched the prize for the Veteran Category by crushing Ayo Jemitola of Police College Club 3-0.

In another highly physical final of the evening, Wale Amao, currently ranked number four in Nigeria, defeated Moses Durosinmi, ranked number six, 3-1 in the Classic Category (Male).

The Female Classic produced Yemisi Olatunji, ranked number number as winner. She beat Omolola Ajayi, ranked number four, 3-0. The Classic Category is for the National seeded players from first to eight.

In the other categories, Lanre Pratt of Lagos State thrashed Temiloluwa Adegoke also of Lagos State 3-0 to win the U-19 Boys, while Kirnan Simon of Plateau State beat Busayo Olatunji of Ondo State 3-0 in the U-19 Girls Category.

Onaopemipo Adegoke of Lagos won the U-16 Boys by defeating Abel Shadrak of Ogun State 3-0, while the U-16 Girls produced Busayo Olatunji of Ondo who whipped Faidal Soliu of Kwara State 3-0 as the winner.

For the Closed Category meant for only players of the host club, Fred Udo-Akagha was declared winner for Men, Mike Adekoya won the Veteran, while Sina Akinfenwa won the Super Veteran.

The highpoint of the finals was a dance performance by the Ajobiewe Group led by Azeez Ayilara. The group held the audience spellbound with its exceptional Bata dance steps, which drew loud applause intermittently from the crowd.

peaking at the end of the competition, Managing Director, Cargolux Merchant Express Limited, Capt. Sina Akinfenwa, expressed delight at the quality of the games played and the turnout of players.

He commended the enthusiasm of the participants and their show of sportsmanship and pledged his organization's continued sponsorship of the tournament.

"We are encouraged by what we see every year at this tournament. The enthusiasm of the participants and our love for the game are our motivation. I can assure you therefore that we will continue to sponsor this tournament," Akinfenwa said.

Lagos Country Club Squash Section Chairman, Demola Olusunmade, lauded the sponsor for sustaining the tournament sponsorship and regularly introducing innovation that would aid the development of the game in the country.

Players from 14 clubs across the country participated in this year's edition of the tournament, with winners in different categories awarded trophies, medals, cash and other prizes.