BY SEGUN OLANREWAJU
After days of stiff competitions and display of tennis skills, Aina Henry and Khadijat Mohammed proved too strong for other competitors as they emerged champions at the Adewale Isa Foundation (AIF) 4th National Junior Tennis Championships which ended in Lagos at the weekend.
Competing in the boys’ U-16 final, Aina outplayed Awe Damilare 6-2, 6-2 to emerge champion, while Khadijat beat Bright Emmanuel in a keenly contested girl’s U-16 final that ended 6-4, 6-3.
Speaking on her victory, an elated Khadijat, who is looking forward to playing in the WTA, US Open and other Grand Slams in the next three to four years, admitted that it was not an easy final for her, as Bright gave her a run for her money.
She also commended the family of the late Alhaji Adewale Isa for making the championship possible.
“I feel really happy and grateful. I want to say a big thank you to the sponsors (Alhaja Olayinka Adigun and Nurudeen Isa), a big thank you to my coaches and everybody that supported me.
“It was not an easy final for me because Bright actually gave problems in the early part of the first set and towards the ending of the second set. Honestly, she is a really good player and made me work hard for my victory.
“Hopefully, in the next three to four years, I see myself playing in the WTAs, US Open and other Grand Slams,” she said.
And for Aina, his victory was made possible by hard work and the hunger to achieve success against the best.
“For sure I’m really excited to have emerged champions in the tournament and It was due to hard work. I was focused and trained regularly for it,” he said.
Speaking at the end of the championship, daughter of the late Alhaji Isa, Alhaja Olayinka Adigun nee Isa admitted she was overwhelmed with the turnout of participants in this year’s edition and looks forward to a bigger championship next year.
She urged corporate Nigeria to partner with the Adewale Isa Foundation in taking Nigeria’s tennis to the next level.
Meanwhile, in the U-14 events, Holzendorff Lerelay beat Benjamin Ndifreke 5-4, 2-4, 10-8 to win the girls title, while Amasiani Chukwudubem lost the boys final to Shamsideen Bello, who won the game by 4-1, 4-2.
For the girls U-12, Nana Roseline outplayed Kwange Emmanuel 5-3,2-4, 10-4, while Michael Joel saw off Ubiebi Peter 4-2, 5-3 to win the boys title.
All the finalists were rewarded with different prizes ranging from bags, rackets and other tennis equipment with the champions receiving trophies in addition.
