NNPC Jnr Tennis: Maxwell, Asogba Win Awards
Timipre Maxwell of Rivers State was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2016 NNPC Junior Tennis Championship which ended in Lagos at the weekend.
In claiming the award which was donated by the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the 12-year-old defeated her teammate from the Kodian Tennis Foundation, Amiyefor Jim-Jaja 9-3 to take home the girls’ 14 & under title.
In claiming the award which was donated by the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the 12-year-old defeated her teammate from the Kodian Tennis Foundation, Amiyefor Jim-Jaja 9-3 to take home the girls’ 14 & under title.
“She has continued to develop in such a way that we truly cherish. From being the champion of the 10 & under and 12 & under in the last two editions, her progression has been fantastic and this we can’t just ignore,” Director of the International Tennis Academy, organisers of the programme, Godwin Kienka, noted with excitement.
Toyin Asogba, 13, of Aces Tennis Academy had twice in the last eight months gone on training tours of the United States of America and her exposures to top-class tennis reflected significantly on her game which saw her bag the Most Improved Player award in the girls’ category.
Toyin Asogba, 13, of Aces Tennis Academy had twice in the last eight months gone on training tours of the United States of America and her exposures to top-class tennis reflected significantly on her game which saw her bag the Most Improved Player award in the girls’ category.
It took a 9-8 tie-break decider to separate her and top-seed Angel Mcleod in their clash.
Matthew Abamu won the Most Improved Player for boys’ category and was clearly on top of his game throughout the tournament.
Matthew Abamu won the Most Improved Player for boys’ category and was clearly on top of his game throughout the tournament.
His sensational performance, especially in the final of the boys’ 16 & under against Emmanuel Jebutu – where he masterfully hits deep forehand winners – was astonishing.
“The depth and competitive nature was pleasing to us because there were so many upsets recorded in the championship. “Favourites likes Christopher Bulus could not make it out of the group stage while Christopher Itodo was also stopped in the semifinal. Michael Osewa, with his pedigree could not reach the final of the boys’ 16 & under which clearly points it was competitive,” Kienka concluded.
