By Sunny Canto 

"Talent they say is universal but opportunity is rare" Over the years, Ogbeche family and entire Rain Oil organization, have foster many athletes dreams and visions through Tennis Open championship.

The 2022 edition and week long tournament, featured participants from cross the Nation in the Men and Women category. Also, the glamor fill event, captivated the attention of many Tennis fanatics, sport pundits, renown administrators alongside VIP guests that graced the grand finale.

However, Ekpenyong David, a rising star phenomenal game plan during the Men's singles finals, eventually earn him delightful victory against Oparaoji Uche in a 7/6 (4) 6/1 encounter and 1.5million Naria.

In the Women category, famous Edward Marylove defeated Ayegbusi Aanu 6/0, 2/0 rtd therefore making her a million Naria richer.

Ekpeyong David combine force with Oparaoji Uche to beat Bikom Albert and Madueke Nonso 6/3, 4/6, 10-8 in the Men's double final match.

Sensational finish from the pair of Ayebgusi Aanu and Edwards Mary Love who outshine Omotayo Blessing and Asogba Toyin 6/0, 6/2 in the Women doubles finals.

Aside from players allowance, souvenirs, kits and T-shirt distributed at Ikoyi Club, Lagos, Nigeria; refreshing drinks and taste delicacy was shared among everyone present. 

www.titansportsnig.com correspondent while getting participants reaction, "I'm delighted to have been part of this tournament, incredible outing and a better experience for me"

"Well, i think 2022 year is superb and enjoyable compare to the previous years, though accommodation inclusion would have been a fantastic advantage" 

"Grateful to our amiable sponsors, giving us a competitive platform, God bless them more to assist us further"

The CEO and Managing Director of Rail Oil, avail themselves for the athletes, officials, coaches to access during the memorable event, thereby giving them an inspiration towards the brighter future that wait them.

Conclusively, the Ogbeche initiative and family legacy is indeed a likable idea that every sporting administrator, government should emulate, which will keep youths hope alive and away from social verses.

#RainOil2022TennisOpen
#OgbecheSportsVibes
#CampionsVibes
#Ikoyi
#Lagos

By Sunny Canto

Glitz and glamor was the order of the day as Nigerians felt excited about tennis prodigies that make history at the just concluded J5 International Tennis Federation (2nd leg) championship.

Topmost seed players in the junior category, has written their name in gold as renown Edwards Marylove and Chitanna Nwadike finished best position in the mouthwatering event held at MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

Despite currently seeded (384 in ITF list), and number One in Nigeria, ever ready Marylove Edwards outplayed Egypt's number eight and (ITF 994) seeded Joody Elkady in a 6-1, 6-4 to emerge Girl's singles champion.

While her Nigeria counterpart: Chitanna Nwadike (ITF 1716) seeded, beat Great Britain Murktar Audu now (seeded 1955 on ITF list) 6-3, 6-3 to claim the Boy's singles title.

Earlier, Marylove won the (first leg) Girl's category, while Emmanuel Michael snatched the Boy's trophy. 

In the Boy's double's event, the pair of Ekpenyong David and Chitanna Nwadike thrashed Gradin Harrison and Jimoh Ibrahim in a 6-4, 6-1 victory.

Interestingly, the Girls double's finals went in favor of Rotimi Cohen and Marylove Edwards that combine force to defeat Josephine Yakubu and Joody Elkady in yesterdays finals.

In summary, if Tennis has to grow in Nigeria and Africa, more financial, moral, psychological, medical and publicity support must be given to foster young talented players so as to achieve their dreams; but kudos to NTF board with the busy Calender!

#J5TennisTour
#CatchingThemYoung
#NTF

By Sunny Canto

Elite athletes and able challenge Tennis players, who featured in a weeklong wheelchair event, were given various awards yesterday as the Puma Engineering National Open finished in style at MKO Stadium, Abuja.

Kafayiat Omisore claimed the women single champion, while famous Adewale Wasiu won the men single category of the well-organized sporting event.

Nigeria top seed, Adewale Wasiu beat his compatriot Wasiu Yusuf 6-3, 6-2 to retain the title for the third time, and Kafayiat Omisore dethrone Nwaozuzu Chituru 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 to record her first PUMA Engineering Wheelchair championship. 

According to her, "Its a fierce challenge, though i'm attaching the success to my constant practise, because God helped me to win, also hoping to participate in future tournaments" she added.

While three times champions, said "I've seen so many fantastic players here, my opponent gave me a tough fight, although my triumph is as a result of my vast experience; will do more exploit in subsequent edition. Adewale assured.

Speaking to news men, Nigeria Tennis Federation President, Mr. Ifedayo Akindoju said, "I'm elated everything went fine also, we want to continue as our major aims and obligation is to engage the players, grow the game of Tennis" he summarized.

The third edition and international event that featured several athletes from Ghana, Kenya, host Nigeria among others had so many dignitaries from all works of life.

Meanwhile, in the women's double finals, Kenya pair of Asiya Sururu and Jane Ndega edged past Nigeeria duo of Kemi Oluwaseyi and Kafayiat Omisore in a 7-5, 6-3 keenly contested match.

In the men's double finals, Kazeem Akanji and Willams Ukari fall short to more determine Ajani Idowu and Adewale Wasiu in a 6-0, 6-3 encounter.

In summary, NTF leadership and board has been in top of affairs with a busy Calender since the sporting inauguration by honorable Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare.

#PumaEngineeringOpen
#NTFThirdEdition
#IfeadayoAkindoju

by NTF Media
Nigerian number one, Joseph Imeh and Edward Marylove has emerged champions   in the men’s and women’s singles of the 3rd edition of VEMP National Open Tennis Championship. 

At the blockbuster finals decided at the National Tennis Centre, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Saturday, saw Imeh outclassed Adehi Oche in two straight sets 6-2, 6-4 in the Men’s singles final. 

Imeh received N500,000 while Oche 250,000 as runner-up.

In the women’s event Edward Marylove overpowered Aitegbusi Aanu 6-2, 6-2 earlier in the women’s singles final.

Edwards won a prize money of  N2500,000 the first prize money while Aiyegbusi received N125, 000 as runner-up.

Both Imeh and Marylove who were Dala Hard Court champions in Kano has now won two national championships in less than three weeks

The duo of Joseph Imeh and Bikom Albert edged Mohammed Musa and Sylvanulls Ajang 6-2, 7-5 (3) to emerged champions of the men’s doubles events. 

Edward Marylove and Aitegbusi Aanu were crowned champions in the women’s doubles event after they outlasted the pair of Omotayo Blessing and Aderemi Omolade 6-7 (5) 6-1, 10(5) in grand style. 

In the wheelchair event, Alex Adewale dispatched Wasiu Yusuf 6-4, 6-2 in the men’s game as Kafaya Omisore see off  Shodende  Foluke 6-1, 6-2 in the women’s final played at the tennis courts, National Stadium in Lagos on Friday.

by Sunny Canto

Amazingly, newly re-elected Ifedayo Akindoju, President of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), has unveiled no fewer than five local, and international events to complete the federation’s last quarter calendar that would run from October 28th to December 18th for 2021.

Immediately they finished their first board meeting, while speaking to reporters in Abuja, on Wednesday, he disclosed, The international events were meant to enable the federation discover players that could feature at international level, as well as to improve the world ranking of Nigerian players.

“The events will enable us to put Nigerian players’ names at the highest level of the ITF ranking" Akindoju affirm.

"While the local events are to scout for more talents that will replace the aging ones and to increase the development of Tennis. Our various events will also help to put the players on their toes,” he said.

The notable tennis Administrator listed the remaining events of the year to include: the Dala hard court National Open Championship in Kano, from October 28th to November 6th, while the VEMP National Tennis Open Championship in Abuja, from 4th-13th November.

There would also be the two-leg ITF World Tennis tour J5, two-week events from 12th-30th November; while in December two events: the Rain Oil National Tennis Open, in Lagos from 2nd-11th December and the Abuja Tennis Cup closed from 13th-18th December in Abuja, would round-off the federation’s 2021 calendar, Akindoju said.

“This is the first time that these events are happening and they’re going to be played for the top eight tennis players for both men and ladies categories in Abuja, that will be the last tournament for the year,” he added. 

However, he narrated about their Federation willingness to participate at the NYG (National Youth Games) billed for 14th-20th October in ilorin, Kwara State; Nigeria.

According to the goal getter, "Our Secretary has briefed us about the preparations toward the grassroot program in the meeting and we're fully ready to discover more gifted players and support them" he assured.

In summary, NTF is known for athletes, coaches, empire welfare conscious and Media friendly; of course regular cooperate partnership.


#NigeriaTennisFederation
#IfedayoAkindoju
#GreatLeader