Ogheneruno Jason Atebe exhibited a brilliant performance to clinch the boys’ 8-10 title just as Adedoyin Da Silva, David Orungbeja and Adekunmi Tarenu emerged champions in their categories as the 2024 Ikoyi Club Easter Holiday Tennis Clinic and Tournament came to a colourful end on Saturday.
Identified as a bright prospect of the game, Atebe, who fell short of the top prizes in the last two editions, had an unforgettable day as he outplayed Ademide Ayodeji to clinch the top position.
“I feel very happy to be champion for the first time. My parents are supporting and encouraging me to play tennis and I thank them and Ikoyi Club for helping me develop my game,” he said. His older sibling, Ogheneoreva Jaden came joint third in the boy’s 11-13 class.
Adedoyin is the daughter of Destiny Da Silva, a former Nigeria player, and she declared that her dad’s achievement in the game as well as emerging the top player in the girls’ 14-16 class, where she defeated Tamilore Adesanya, will motivate her into becoming one of the top players in the nearest future.
Orungbejja edged Khalid Mohammed in the boys’ 11-13 cadre just as Favour Egbemiye rule the girls’ class by defeating Olaedo Irono.
Tiaraoluwa Amadu and Ikenna Osaka won the 5-7 girls’ and boys’ respectively while Ayomiju Ayorinde defeated Ella Egbemiye to top the girls’ 8-10.
To win the boy’s 14-16 category, Tarenu got the better of David Da Silva while Zina Azingi and Tishe Johnson were named as the most improved players for girls and boys respectively.
Tennis Section chairman, Diran Famakinwa was full of gratitude to the sponsors, Leadway Assurance, declaring that the impact of the clinic was great as over 1000 kids already benefited through the programme over the years.