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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Michael Emmanuel and Adesuwa Osabuohien emerged champions in the men’s and women’s singles categories respectively, at the 46th edition of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Open Tennis Championship in Abuja last weekend.
The championship held at the Tennis Court, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, was organised by the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) and sponsored by the Apex Bank.
Emmanuel, who showed resilience and tactical brilliance in the men’s singles final, delivered a commanding performance to defeat tennis prodigy, Ikenna Okonkwo, in a thrilling 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 display.
In the women’s singles final, Adesuwa Osabuohien came from behind to defeat Emmanuel Essien 2-1 in a rain-interrupted finals.
Ralling to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 after dropping the first set, to claim the title Osabuohien had started her campaign by beating Khadijat Salami 2-0, RTD in the round of 32, defeating Timipre Maxwell 6-2, 6-0 in round of 16.
She equally won Mary Udofa 6-2, 6-1 in the quarter-finals and later overpowered Blessing Omotayo 6-1, 7-5 in the semi-finals to reach the final.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, NTF President, Ifedayo Akindoju, had lauded the CBN for sponsoring the tournament after two years miss.
“CBN has been a strong pillar for tennis growth in the country. This tournament continues to provide a vital platform for our athletes to grow and compete at the highest level,” he said.
Similarly, CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, expressed happiness that the championship had seen men and women rise from obscurity to become national and international champions.
Represented by Hakama Sidi-Ali, CBN’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Cardoso reassured the bank’s commitment to nurturing talents, promoting excellence and supporting initiatives that foster unity and development.
”In furtherance of our vision, the CBN Junior Tennis Tournament was launched in 2006 to serve as a nursery for grooming young talents who would graduate to this prestigious Senior Open.
”I am pleased to note that some of today’s senior finalists were once champions on that Junior stage; a true testament to the value of continuity and investment in youth.
”Beyond the courts, the CBN remains passionate about the holistic development of Nigerian youth.
”We recognise sports as a powerful platform not just for entertainment but for empowerment, engagement and national integration.
”This belief drives our numerous youth-focused initiatives such as, Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP), MSME Development Fund (MSMEDF), Agri-Business/SME Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) and so on,” Cardoso said.
Canice Abua and Micheal Emmanuel won the men’s doubles after beating Thomas Otu and Abubakar Yusuf 6-4, 6-0 in the final on Friday.
Goodnews Aina and Favour Moses won the women’s doubles with a commanding 7-5, 7-5 defeat of Blessing Anuna and Rebecca Ekpeyong 7-5, 7-5 in the final, also on Friday.
