NAN-S-3
Tennis
Kano, Nov. 26, 2016 (NAN) Sylvester Emmanuel and Christy Agugbom on Saturday became the men and women champions respectively of the 30th Dala Hard Court Tennis Tournament in Kano.
The tournament which the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) President, Sani Ndanusa, described as the biggest tennis tournament in Northern Nigeria, featured players from across the country.
Emmanuel defeated Michael Moses by two sets 7/5 6/4 in two hours to win the N800,000, men’s singles prize money, with Moses taking the N400,000 second position prize.
In the women category, Agugbom beat her closest rival, Blessing Samuel 6/2, 6/7(4), 7/6(4) to pick the top prize and the accompanying N500,000 cash reward.
At the end of the event, an elated Emmanuel expressed his happiness at winning the championship.
“As the defending champion I am very happy for winning in the men’s category,” Emmanuel said.
Speaking at the end of the event, Ndanusa commended the organisers for sustaining the competition for the past 30 years.
He said: “We are indeed commending organisers of this tournament, under the able chairmanship of Alhaji Bashari Gumel. I appreciate the players’ talent and creativity in all categories,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of Kano State Sport Commission, Ibrahim Galadima, commended the organisers for their efforts.
He called on governments at all levels to help the development of tennis.
The tournament was jointly sponsored by Fidelity Bank, First Bank, Dangote Group and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company. (NAN)
MNT/IS
======
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz