Parents and participants of the just concluded Henry Shadrach Tennis [HST] invitational tourney has showered encomium on the organizers staying the competition will help promo the game of tennis in the country.
This statement was made at the one-day tennis competition which served-off on Friday, November 24, at the tennis court of Italian International School, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
Acknowledging the convener, tennis coach and participants who were selected from top-notch private schools in the state, expressed delightfulness as they aimed the tourney grow beyond boundary.
Reacting to the appraisal, Henry Shadrach hinted him, alongside his partner, Benson Isicheli won’t relent in making sure the competition emerge an household name in the country. He however urged government to invest more into the game as he hope his initiative expands beyond imagination.
‘I’m glad with what have seen so far from the kids. Although this tourney is set for private schools on the island but as time goes on, we’ll try drag in schools from mainland into the game. Our idea is make sure passion fro tennis keep increasing in the heart of this kids.
‘ Although tennis is not like normal football were one can just pick a ball on the street and start playing. Tennis involves passion, follow up programs. It’s going to be a yearly program and what we have also found out is that the event, from next year will go beyond tennis because we have other facilities here in the venue. It’s going to be inform of a mini olympic. This is just inform of a intro and with time, I’m sure we’ll there,’ he opined.
Meanwhile, seven-year old Tesese Ahenjir from Green Springs school came first after defeating Grace Ebadan, the Chalcedony school player, in a 7-2 game.
Emerging youngster, Abdul-Maleek Salau was also outstanding in his matches on Friday, winning against all his opponents to emerge as the ultimate winner of the boys’ red ball event.
The Wadfat Private School student defeated Chinonso Ajaelo from Chalcedony School 7-5, to win the competition in his category.
Nigeria’s Under-10 champion, Mofifunoluwa Atilola, was at her beastly best when she took on Tiffany Osho in the girls finale which ended in her favour.