Ernest Osogbue.
The 47th edition of the CBN Senior Tennis Championship, came to an exciting end at the Package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Saturday. The event which showcased the best of Nigerian tennis, did not disappoint, as champions emerged across the different categories.
In the men’s final, a heavy downpour which threatened to rob spectators of the joys of the event, was largely ignored by excited tennis enthusiasts, who braved the rain to see defending champion Canice Abua, beat Michael Akpan Emmanuel, in straight sets, 6/1, 6/2, to retain his title. In the women’s category, Etoro Bassey, came from a set down to defeat Success Egunjobi, 3/6, 6/0, 6/2, to emerge the champion. Abua and Bassey, carted home the championship trophies, as well as the #.7m Naira cash prizes for the men and women champions, with Emmanuel and Egunjobi, going home with half a million Naira each, for the runners up.
In other categories, Canice Abua teamed up with Musa Mohammed, to beat Michael Akpan Emmanuel, and Sylvanus Ajano, to win the men’s doubles event, while the team of Success Egunjobi and Khadijat Mohammed, silenced Etoro Bassey and Favor James, to cart home the ladies doubles title. In the wheelchair category, Alex Adewale successfully defended his men’s title, with Andrea Usoh, clinching the ladies trophy and the prize money. Total prize money across the different categories was in excess of #13m (thirteen million Naira).
The week-long event which rounded off with cultural displays and other forms of entertainment, was drawn to a close by Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, the Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Central Bank of Nigerian, who represented the CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso. In her closing remarks, she charged Nigerian youths to remain positive, and to keep their minds focused on productive ventures, as opposed to activities detrimental to national development. According to her, the CBN, as part of its corporate social responsibilities, will always be prepared to support Nigerian youths in the drive towards achieving national integration and development.
