Kano bubbles for Dala Hard Court Championship

Some of the players who spoke to SHOT! on Thursday said  they were on their way to the ancient city while some said they would arrive on Monday after the Nigeria Ports Authority Championship in Abuja.The players who left for Kano on Thursday were mostly those who had crashed out of the NPA tournament and […]

Some of the players who spoke to SHOT! on Thursday said  they were on their way to the ancient city while some said they would arrive on Monday after the Nigeria Ports Authority Championship in Abuja.
The players who left for Kano on Thursday were mostly those who had crashed out of the NPA tournament and were not taking part in the doubles event.
Junior international Mohammed Mohammed said he was on his way to Kano to settle down early enough for the tournament.
“I am already on my way to Kano to attend the Dala Hard Court. I lost out in the first round at the NPA tournament but I want to see how far I can go in this one.
“I am not disappointed with my performance because I played against a senior player. I am still in my transition period so it will take some time for me to cope with the demands of the senior category. In Kano, I will enjoy myself self on court and see how it goes,” he said
On his part former winner of Dala Hard Court, Abdulmumuni Babalola who also lost out in the first round at the NPA championship in Abuja said after the doubles event he will move over to Kano for the tournament.
He said he hopes to end the year on high by winning the championship. “I am not happy that I lost out of the NPA tournament in the first round. But I know I lost to the harsh weather in Abuja. I have put that behind me as I look forward to the tournament in Kano.
“I want to go there and win because it is the last tournament for the year so it will be good for me to take home something. I will give it the best performance I can offer”.
Nigeria’s number one female player, Sarah Adegoke is planning to win both the NPA and Dala Hard Court so she said she will be in Kano to fight for the title.
According to her, if she wins both tournaments, her chances of retaining the number one position would be enhanced.
“For sure, I will be in Kano for the championship. I have an axe to grind with Blessing Samuel who defeated me in last year’s finals. I think this year’s tournament offers me a great opportunity to take back my pound of flesh.
“My eyes are on the trophy in Kano but I am concentrating on what is before me in the NPA tournament. When it is time for me to switch attention to Dala Hard Court, I will do so,” she said.
Another player who has his eyes on the trophy and prize money in Kano is junior sensation Joseph Imeh who said he will be in Kano on Monday for the tournament.
He said playing in Dala Hard Court Tournament offers him another opportunity to have a feel of what the senior players have to offer.
“I am going to be part of the party in Kano. After the NPA tournament in Abuja I will move to Kano to see how the year will end for me. I want to mix with the big boys,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Secretary of Kano Tennis Association, Yusuf Datti told SHOT! that over 200 tennis players would take part in this year’s tournament.
According to him, already 20 male and 10 female players have been listed for the main draws and will be joined by 12 male and 6 female players from the preliminary matches that would feature at least 150 players.
“We have at least 150 players for the preliminary rounds. Out of the number, 12 male players would qualify to join the 20 that have been listed for the main draws. In the same vein, 6 female players would join the 10 we have listed for the main draws”.
Datti also said there will be improvement on the prize money as the winner in the men’s category will go home with N800, 000 runners up N400, 000 while the two semi-finalists will each receive N250, 000.
In the women’s category, he said the winner will pocket N500, 000, runners up N250, 000 while the semi-finalists will each take home N125, 000.
Datti further disclosed that the tournament is being sponsored by two leading banks in the country with support from Kano and Jigawa State.
Organisers said Kano Dala Hard Court is the only Nigerian tennis championship that has been organised consistently for the past 28 years.
While Benin based Clifford Enosoregbe is the defending champion in Men’s singles, University of Abuja student, Blessing Samuel is the reigning champion in Women’s singles.