Follow Us on Google
By Monica Iheakam
Winner of the 4th Alhaji Adewale Isa Foundation (AIF), national junior tennis championship Khadijat Mohammed says she dreams of playing the Grand Slam.
Mohammed, who ruled in the girls U-16 by defeating her closest rival Bright Emmanuel 6-4,6-3 during the finals of the one week tournament played at the tennis court of the national stadium Surulere Lagos, said she is hopeful of playing in the WTA as well as the US Open in the near future.
“Hopefully, in the next three-four years I see myself playing in the WTAs, US Open and other Grand Slams,” said.
In the boys U-16 category, Aina Henry from Ekiti State drubbed Awe Damilare 6-2, 6-2 to emerge champion.
For the girls U-12, Nana Roseline outplayed Kwange Emmanuel 5-3,2-4, 10-4, while Michael Joel saw off Ubiebi Peter 4-2, 5-3 to win the boys title.
In the under 14 events, Holzendorff Lerelay beat Benjamin Ndifreke 5-4, 2-4, 10-8 to win the girls title, while Amasiani Chukwudubem defeated Shamsideen Bello by 4-1, 4-2, to win the game
For the first time in the championship, Grace Alex from Ekiti State was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and was rewarded with a cash prize.
Meanwhile, daughter of Late Alhaji Adewale, Alhaja Olayinka Adigun, expressed delight at the huge turnout of participants at the one week long tournament.
“It’s the dream of our late dad to discover and build tennis talents and that is what this championship is all about.
