Ogun State hosted one of the most interesting tennis tournaments when the Rock Tennis Foundation gathered kids within and outside the State for a tennis clinic and competition.
Children from different parts of Nigeria stormed the Abeokuta Sports Club, venue of the five-day event in their hundreds for the tennis tournament which showcased some amazing talents in the grandfinale.
Organizers of the tournament had informed Nigeria Tennis Live that the competition would be open to only U-16 players from other States while the U-12 & 14 would be for players from the State.
Players from Kwara, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, Lagos States joined their counterparts from Ogun State for the U-16 boys and girls competition which climaxed an amazing week of tennis event in Abeokuta.
And the atmosphere inside the tennis section of the Abeokuta Sports Club was better experienced than told, spectators were left wanting more.
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The star match on the night was the U-16 Boys Singles match between Henry Aina from Ondo State and home boy Ayomide Oduwaye.
Not until the final games did anybody have a clue on whose side the pendulum would swing, the game was that close.
Aina won the first set 6-4 in a game which saw him put up some fantastic display, including picking up the first two games. But Oduwaye always had a response in the very tactical and tension-soaked encounter.
In the second set as well, Aina raced into a 3-1 lead before Oduwaye woke up and brought the game back on level terms. He lost the next serve but that was the worst that happened during the game as he regained composure and thanks to the fans cheering him up on the night, he won the second set 6-4.
The final set, a super tie-break, was also packed with tension, as even though Oduwaye was finding his footing, his opponent would not relent. But the spectators who had been solidly behind the home boy all evening, had the last laugh when he won the game 10-8.
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The Ogun State Commissioner for Sports and Youths Development, Wasiu Isiaka, among other dignitaries, graced the ecstatic event and were beyond impressed with the outcome of the matches.
In the Girls U-12 final, Kimberly Ogundeyi defeated Anjolaoluwa Ijaola while Emmanuel Ogungbe emerged winner of the Boys U-12 match.
Taiwo Garuba, popularly called ‘eku’ defeated Wasiu Akindele in the Boys U-14 final match pairing just as Success Ogunjobi was the better player in the Girls U-16 final match against Imole Afolabi.
Emmanuel Ogungbe was adjudged the most improved player while the best behaved player award was given to Precious Akanni. Jamiu Olopade was rewarded for being the best dressed player throughout the clinic/championship.
Below are pictures from the presentation of prizes to the winners of the Rock Tennis Foundation Competition:
