Rahaman, Goke win Golden Tulip squash series

L-R: Chairman, UPDC Nigeria Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah; winner of Golden Tulip Squash Series (Pro-Men category), Abdulrahaman Olanrewaju and MD/CEO, UPDC, Mr. Hakeem Oguniran.

   

Abdulrahaman Olanrewaju and Goke Adediran emerged winners of the two categories in the maiden edition of UPDC Hotels/Golden Tulip Squash series, which rounded off on Saturday in Lagos.

In the Professional Men’s category, Abdulrahaman pulled an upset when he defeated national Number 2 ranked Sodiq Taiwo to win the prize in a pulsating encounter.

Adediran, representing Ikoyi Club, relied on experience, footwork and deceptive movements to overpower Ramsey Noah, who represented the Eagle Club in the Club Invitational Tournament.

Noah, Nollywood actor, who only few years ago started playing the game of squash, ruffled many feathers when he defeated some more experienced players through the knock-out stages until the final game.

In the last match, however he got his match in Adediran whose powerful shots and sheer body movements obviously confounded the actor.  It was the first time they were meeting in any tournament.

“Ramsey is a professional actor, so I just felt this is my domain. He shouldn’t come here to beat me because I may not defeat him in his own field,” Adediran said after collecting his cash prize and some squash equipment.

Ramsey had kind words for his conqueror when he said, “Goke is quite deceptive with his movements and style.  Sometimes, he plays lackadaisically, like he wasn’t going to reach the ball and before you know it, he is there hitting it hard.  It is my first time playing against him and I’ve learnt that one must be on his toes all through the game to stand up against him.

“Hopefully, next time I will catch up with him.”