NAN-S-7
Tennis
Adedeji Egbebi
Ado-Ekiti, Jan.9,2017, (NAN) The Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) on Monday charged the players selected to represent Nigeria at the Africa Junior Championships to ensure victory.
The tournament is scheduled to hold in Togo between Jan. 10 and Jan.22.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the 12 players were selected from the 24 in camp for the championships in the U-14 and U-16 male and female categories..
NTF Vice-President, Mr Yemi Owoseni, while addressing the players on their departure to Togo after a week trial in Ado-Ekiti, tasked them to ensure good performance in Togo.
He said that the federation was delighted with their performance during the trial, adding that the best were selected for the continental championships.
He charged the players to be committed and determined to win all the medals at the tournament.
“ The federation’s focus is to raise young players that Nigerians will be proud of.
“I want all of you to be focused, determined and believe that you will get to the top; try and ensure that you be yourself, do not copy Serena Williams, or Roger Federer.
“ I want Mary-Love Edward to play tennis like Mary-Love and Barakat Oyinlomo to play the way she knows how to do it best.
“It is my prayer that as you all travel to Togo, God will grant you success to win medals and trophies for the country,’’ he said.
In the U-14 female category, Barakat Oyinlomo (Captain), Mary-Love Edward and Rebecca Peters were selected.
In the U-16 female category are Toyin Asogba, Aderemi Omolade, and Omolayo Bamidele.
The players in the U-14 male categoriey are Saminu Abubakar, David Dawariye and Mattew Abamu, while in the U-16, Micheal Osewa, Micheal Ayoola and Wilson Igbinovia made the team.
The team, led by the national coach, Mohammed Ubale, departed Ado-Ekiti for Togo on Monday. (NAN)
DJ/DEB/MZA
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(Edited by Debo Oshundun/Maharazu Ahmed/Peter Ejiofor)