Etoro Bassey, Aina Henry, Aina Goodnews, Chidubem Amassiani, Mufu Atilola and David Edwards won their various categories at the annual CBN Junior Championships which concluded at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan over the weekend.
In the girls under 16 category, Etoro Bassey, who only started playing tennis two years ago thanks to her father, rolled past a well-known opponent, Eunice Orolumun, 9-5, to win her age group. Bassey, who has competed in several local and regional tournaments, was the winner of last year’s MTN Junior and Azimuth Shipping Lines tennis tournament and a doubles winner of the AJC tournament held in Togo earlier this year.
The budding star, who has just graduated from secondary school and is currently being coached by her father, said her aim is to turn full professional next year.
The Boys 16 and Under were utterly dominated by Ondo State’s Aina Henry, who ruthlessly defeated homeboy Joseph Ogunyemi 9-0 to clinch the title.
In the Girls 14 finals, Ekiti-born Gloria Samuel was defeated by the superior power of Aina Goodnews, also of Ekiti State. Aina won 9-4 and took home the trophy.
Elsewhere, Abuja’s fast-rising star Chidubem Amassiani completely dominated Akwa Ibom’s Wisdom Effion, winning 9-3 in no time.
Amassiani, who has become a player to watch, did not disappoint, adding the Boys’ Most Improved Player award to his crown, while Bassey went home with the Girls’ Most Improved Player.
However, it was a bad day at the office for the younger Ogunsakin brother as Seyi Ogunsakin lost 9-3 to David Edwards in the Boys 14 and Under final. Ogunsakin and Edwards were also contenders at Boys 12 and Under two years ago, but Seyi got the upper hand that day.
Edwards, MaryLove’s younger brother, was dominant from the start and after securing his first break he never looked back, completely subduing the younger Ogunsakin.
Additionally, Mufu Atilola of Lagos, top seed in girls 12 and under, defeated Roseline Nana, also of Lagos, 9-6 to win the title.
All winners went home with trophies and clubs, while runners-up also smiled home with trophies and custom backpacks.
Presenting the trophies and gifts, ITA Director Godwin Kienka recognized the sponsors and players for giving their best and promised that the competition will return bigger and better at the next edition.
