32 junior players get grants at TPPA national tennis finals
Thirty-two players have been awarded education grants as prizes following the conclusion of the second edition of the Tennis Players Parents Association (TPPA) National Junior Finals, which kicked off last week in Lagos. The beneficiaries emerged as winners, runners-up, and semifinalists in the boys’ and girls’ U-12, U-14, U-16, and youth categories, out of the […]
32 junior players get grants at TPPA national tennis finals
Thirty-two players have been awarded education grants as prizes following the conclusion of the second edition of the Tennis Players Parents Association (TPPA) National Junior Finals, which kicked off last week in Lagos.
The beneficiaries emerged as winners, runners-up, and semifinalists in the boys’ and girls’ U-12, U-14, U-16, and youth categories, out of the 120 participants who competed in the tournament.
The event, held at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, featured thrilling matches on both hard and clay courts, showcasing impressive talent and determination.
In the boys’ youth category, Abubakar Yusuf of the FCT successfully defended his crown with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over Lagos’ Michael Osewa, while Bright Emmanuel triumphed over Abosede Bamidele to clinch the girls’ youth title.
The boys’ U-16 final was an all-Lagos affair, with Heman Afaramai overpowering Nathaniel Aluko 6-4, 6-2. In the girls’ U-16, Ekiti’s Gloria Samuel battled to a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 11-9 win over Jos-based Suwa Nenrot in one of the tournament’s most thrilling encounters.
Peter Ubiebi showed a lot of brilliance to defeat Alex Barnabas from Jos, to increase the tally of wins for Lagos players to three. He beat his opponent in straight sets that ended 6-3, 6-2 to take home the boys’ U-14 title.
FCT-based Salvation Alex stepped up her game when she came up against Success Godwin from Ekiti to win the Girls’ U-14 title with a 6-4, 7-5 victory.
One of the country’s talented U-12 players, Mabubat Rasaki from Oyo State, was ruthless in her match against Karina Opuene from Bayelsa State as she coasted to a 6-0, 6-1 win in their final match.
Osamuyi Idehen, the discovery of this year’s tournament, came back from a set down to defeat fans’ favourite, Godwin Afaramai in the Boys’ U-12 final.
The Edo State player lost the first set 4-6, but showed a lot of resilience to win the second set 6-1 and take the final set 10-2 during the intense encounter.
According to Mr. Segun Aluko, the TPPA President, the semi-finalists will be rewarded with N10,000 grant each while the runner ups will each get N60,000 educational grants.
The winners in each category were awarded with N100,000 educational grant each alongside trophies for each of them and the runner up.