January 22, 2023.
Azonuchechi Chukwu.
Rivers State tennis youngster and winner of the U-16 boys category of Azimuth Junior Tennis Championship, John Nubari, says he hopes to play at major international tennis tournaments in the nearest future.
Speaking after winning his final match, Nubari expressed happiness over his victory,attributing it to hardwork and intense training.
“I promise to always stay focused, and very soon,I hope I will be able to play in major international tennis competitions,” he said.
Naija247news reports that Nubari, defeated Yahaya Sani, 7-5, 2-6, 4-10 to win in the U-16 cateory of the competition,held at the Lagos Tennis Club,Onikan ,Lagos.
Nubari, a mixed doubles gold medalist at the 2022 National Youth Games in Ilorin, displayed great dexterity over Sani in the match, which lasted over an hour.
Winners In other categories include: Gbolahan Olawale, who beat Edwards Davids 5-7, 1-6 im the U-14 boys and Chukwudubem Amasiani,who defeated Lagos-based Peter Ubiebi, 6-3, 6-1 in the U-12 category.
Also Bridget Emmanuel created an upset as she beat Khadijat Mohammed, 7-5, 6-3, to win the U-16 girls, while a German-Nigerian, Loreley Hosendorff overwhelmed Ndidi Osaji, 6-3, 6-4 to emerge winner in the U-14 catogory.
Niger-based, Emmanuella Kwange, ousted Atilola Mofifunoluwa, in two sets winning 2-6,2-6 to emerge top in the U-12 girls category.
Naija247news reports than no fewer than 300 players participated in the fifth edition of the week-long tournament,sponsored by Capt.Stephen Martins,Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer,Azimuth Shipping Lines Limited.
The players, who came from different parts of the country, competed in the U-12, U-14 and U-16 categories for both boys and girls.
Runner-ups received N50,000, while the winners in all the categories received N100,000 in form of education grants, with all the participants receiving medals.
Tournament Director, Richard Inyang, told Naija247news that the tournament was fast becoming one of the biggest juniors in Nigeria, especially because of the size as well as the generous rewards given to participants by the organisers. (www.naija247news.com).
