NAN-S-1
Tennis
By Uche Eletuo
Lagos, March 4, 2017 (NAN) Junior tennis players across the country will converge on Lagos from Monday to Saturday to compete in the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) Tennis Championship.
A statement on Saturday in Lagos by Mr Godwin Kenika, Director, International Tennis Academy (ITA), organisers of the event, said the tournament, the 2017 edition, would take place at the National Stadium, Surulere.
It added that the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Race Course, would also serve as a venue for the championship, which was part of ITA’s junior tennis circuit.
“It will as usual, feature competitions in five age groups – boys and girls 10 years and under, 12 years and under, 14 years and under, 16 years and under and 18 years and under.
“Coming after a fortnight of the CBN Junior Championships, the tournament is providing an opportunity for defeated former champions to reclaim their titles.
“It will also help the players for the African Junior Championships starting March 23 in South Africa,’’ the statement said.
“I can hardly wait for the SNEPCo championship to start,’’ the statement quoted Mathew Abamu, a player who had indicated interest to participate in the tournament, as saying.
Abamu, who surprisingly lost his “Boys 16’’ title to Lagos Mainland Club team mate, Emmanuel Jebutu, further said “I felt really bad about the loss and cried.
“ I am really happy that this opportunity is coming this soon to allow me regain my number one position.’’
The statement said that other players, whose positions were under threat included Marylove Edwards who would contend with Angel Mcleod.
Mcloed had missed the CBN Junior Championship due to commitments in school.
Also, Michael Osewa, the “Boys 18’’ champion, would have Augustine Stephen, a former junior circuit champion, who lost a close match to him two weeks ago, to contend with. (NAN)
EUC/YETI/OPI
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Edited by Yetunde Bada