The Tennis section of the Enugu Sports’ Club is putting final touches on ground as it gets set to host a major international competition, ‘Junior Futures’, early 2018.
This was disclosed by the Captain of the Club, Dr. Law Azike in his speech at the finals of this year’s Enugu Tennis championship.
The competition, which kicked off early November featured players in both in the junior and the senior category.
Azike, who expressed delight over the growth of tennis sports in the area, said efforts were on to make the players participate in major national competitions.
On the hosting of the Junior Futures, he said, “the section has been privileged to play host to the President of Nigeria Tennis Federation, Engr. Dayo Akindoju on August 20th, which provided us the opportunity to showcase our facilities for which we were assured of hosting a major junior international competition, Junior Futures early next year.
“The President further promised to boost our facilities with the latest flood light technology to beef up our preparations for the tournament.”
He noted that “playing in ENIC Tennis League, having become a benchmark to rank tennis clubs in South-East and the South-South of Nigeria, the 2017/2018 executive after deliberations and consultation with key stakeholders and entire tennis membership decided to register with ENIC, (East of Nigeria inter club tournament) for the 2017/2018 league, which is presently on going.
“It was the thinking of the executive that as a premier club, east of Nigeria, we should not continue to sit in the balcony in game tennis as any accomplishment starts with a decision to try.
“I wish to appreciate the chairman of the club Chief Ben Etiaba, who wholeheartedly embraced this initiative and pledged the club’s disposition to support the Section in this direction.”
The Executive Captain while giving further insight on the just concluded competition said, “we felt the compelling need to impact on our immediate environment by incorporating Under 15 and 21 championship to complement the efforts of government (NEEDS programme) in empowering our youths through tennis to enhance their skills and by extension their capacity to compete favourably in local and international championships.
“We are taking advantage of this platform to present prizes to players of distinction in both the junior and the senior category of the tournament.
“It is not a matter of conjecture that this year’s event recorded the highest registration of over 70 players since the history of the tournament.”
In a remark, the chairman of the organizing committee, ESV Cosmas Ezeh lauded the Enugu State Governor and President of the Enugu Sports Club, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the chairman of the Club, Chief Ben Etiaba and for their commitment to the growth of sports in the State and beyond.
Ezeh, who is also the vice chairman of the tennis section equally expressed gratitude to several organizations, who he said put in so much efforts towards the successful hosting of the tournament.
He mentioned some of them to include: Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Dr Uche Ugwuanyi; Suntory Beverages and Foods Ltd; Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industries; Chemical and Allied Products Plc – Manufacturers of High Quality Dulux Paints; Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd Nnewi; PZ Cool World; Nigerian Communications Commission, among others.
Meanwhile, in the singles category, Nnameka Anyakora, Uche Nwagha, Rob Ngwu and Martin Ohanu, emerged winners in courts 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively, while John Ihesie, Law Molokwu, Kinglsey Agbo and Eze Nwankwo were the runners up.
For the doubles, Afam Ezeofor & Augustine Okafor, Law Molokwu & Uche Nwagha, Rob Ngwu & C.Y Obiwuru and Martin Ohanu & Tony Onyejeli came tops at the different courts, while Idike Ogbonna & Nnaemeka Anyakora, .J C.H Nwosu & Charles Egwuagu, Law Azike & Chigbo Okpala and Alex Chukwulebe & Johnny Egbuonu were the runners up.
David Okonkwo won the under-21 singles, while Tochukwu Okafor won the under-15 singles.
Comments