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 week-long tournament, themed “Breeding the Next Generation of Champions,” began on Monday and will end on Aug.

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.

Dasbak said the academy currently has more than 35 young players and expressed optimism that it would continue to expand.

She added that although some parents were initially reluctant to allow their daughters to participate in sports, sustained advocacy had helped to change their mindset.

“Even girls from families that can afford sports programmes are welcome. We bring everyone together because every girl deserves an opportunity,” she said.

On government support for squash, Dasbak said the sport had yet to receive the desired level of attention compared to more popular sports.

“I wouldn’t say squash is receiving the desired attention from the government. Football naturally gets more attention, but squash also deserves greater support,” she said.

She stressed that creating greater public awareness remained essential to attracting more participants to the sport.

Dasbak identified inadequate funding, the high cost of equipment and transportation as major challenges confronting grassroots squash development.

“There are many challenges. Government cannot do everything alone, so individuals and corporate organisations have important roles to play in supporting initiatives like this,” she said.

She said that her foundation was not only focused on sports development but also on empowering girls through life skills that would enable them to become self-reliant.

According to her, she travelled to Abuja with 10 players for the competition and appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropists and other well-meaning Nigerians to support grassroots sports development.

“Our most urgent need right now is sponsorship. With adequate support, we will be able to reach more children and provide greater opportunities for them through sports,” she said.

Dasbak is the founder of Dasby’s Squash Academy for boys and girls aged six years and above, as well as the Dasby’s Sports Development Association, a Plateau-based initiative dedicated to empowering girls through sports.

Manchester United have made striker Chido Obi-Martin available for a loan move this summer following a mixed pre-season assessment, with the club preferring a continental European destination over a physical domestic EFL loan.

Red Devils manager Michael Carrick and the coaching staff feel the young Dane is not quite ready for regular senior minutes in the Premier League.

According to a report from Tipsbladet, Manchester United favour sending him to a continental European club rather than a Championship side to ensure a proper developmental style and high playing time without excessive physical risks.

Recall that forwards like Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo sit ahead of him in the current senior pecking order.

Obi featured in pre-season for Man Utd during their 5-0 win over Rosenborg for 30 minutes as a substitute, although he didn’t travel with the squad for their recent win over Atletico Madrid.

Chido Obi-Martin joined Manchester United towards the end of 2024 after leaving Arsenal’s youth academy and has quickly established himself as one of the club’s brightest attacking prospects.

Thousands of people gathered on the streets of Milan on Tuesday for the funeral of legendary defender Franco Baresi.

The 66-year old died last week after a period of ill health.

Regarded as one of the greatest defenders to play the game, Baresi captained Milan for 15 seasons, making 719 appearances and scoring 33 goals.

The centre-back won 18 trophies with the Rossoneri: six Serie A titles, three Champions Leagues, four Italian Super Cups, three Uefa Super Cups and two Club World Cups.

He was capped 81 times by Italy and was part of the squad which won the 1982 World Cup.

Baresi was made honorary president of Milan in 2020, and his number six shirt was retired when he finished his playing career.

The funeral service was held at Sant’Ambrogio Basilica and club greats including Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, Clarence Seedorf, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Costacurta were in attendance.

The current AC Milan squad is in Australia on a pre-season tour but some first-team players not involved did attend, including USA forward Christian Pulisic.

AC Milan will pay tribute to their former captain ahead of their friendly match against Inter on Wednesday.