Nigeria’s emerging tennis whizkid Mofi, Atilola had her drive to win two titles in two age category breached in the Girls 16 finals where the No.2 seed, Goodnews Aina from Ekiti played with a lot of determination to win
6-4, 6-2.
Atilola, who easily won the Girls 14s title on the same day beating Success Godwin 6-1, 6-2 was given a wild card to also play in the Girls 16 with the aim of fast tracking her progress. She beat the No.4 seed, Favour Effiong James from the Uyo based GEUF Academy in the decisive group match and then the No.1 seed, Gloria Samuel in the semifinals to reach the finals
The most outstanding player for the boys was awarded to Issah Yahaya, the Boys 14s champion from the Mainland Tennis Club Lagos, who was similarly given a wild card to play one age group up and reached the semifinal in the Boys 16 where he was stopped by eventual winner Seyi Ogunsakin in straight sets. Yahaya, however, won the Boys 14s ‘beating his club teammate Joel Michael in three sets.
The team from Bayelsa, to the surprise of many at the finals, took the Boys 12s and Girls’12s titles in close matches. Ogoniba Excellency beat Emmanuel Ogungbe from Ogun State 6-3, 6-4 while Karina Opuene rallied from a set behind to beat Mabubat Rasaki of Oyo State in three sets
“The performance of Atilola and Yahaya is a great lesson to parents and coaches who reduce the ages of their wards to try to win undeserved titles that, they are merely retarding the progress of their children and wards” Godwin Kienka, director of the International Tennis Academy, organisers of the championship told the media after the presentations.
Adding, :We are confident that in five years, all things being equal, Nigeria will have players on the ATP and the WTA tours.”
