Princess Bukola Olowu-Petlong was quite ecstatic and emotional after successfully organizing a junior tennis tournament in honour of her late dad, Oba Joseph Folorunsho Olowu Tirimi.
The former national tennis player gathered players from different parts of Niger State and treated them to a junior tennis championship as part of activities to honour her late dad whose legacies in Niger State are indelible.
Nigeria Tennis Live gathered that about 40 kids were in attendance at the competition held inside the Minna Sports Club in Niger State.
From being 0-3 down in the first set, Adekunle Love defeated David Kwange 5-3, 4-1 to win the boys’ U-12 title while Elijah Kwange proved to be too strong for David Crown, winning 1-4, 4-2, 10-8 to take the boys’ U-14 title.
The boys’ U-16 final was a battle of the Bello brothers with the younger Bello taking the day. Shamsudeen defeated his brother, Yahuza, in a final set thriller which got the audience on their feet. The match ended 0-4, 4-2, 10-7.
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There were just two categories in the female event with Jamaila Sani taking the U-14 title while Destiny Tomizayi outran Sarah Ibrahim 4-1, 4-2 to claim the girls’ U-16 title.
After the colourful two-day event, Princess Olowu-Petlong could not stop eulogizing her late dad whom she described as an exceptional man who earned a reputation as a man of discipline, friendliness, and a builder of lasting relationships across all spheres of life.
The very emotional sponsor of the event stated that: “He was more than just a father to me; he was a pillar of support and an endless source of inspiration.
“My journey in tennis began here at the tender age of 11, nearly three decades ago. My father was my biggest cheerleader, always by my side to encourage and support me.
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“Daddy made it his mission to ensure I excelled, and many of you here today can attest to his unwavering commitment to my success.
“By God’s grace, my tennis journey has taken me to both national and international arenas, earning accolades and experiences that have shaped my life.
“This tournament is therefore dedicated to my father’s memory and serves as a way to give back to society—a small token of my gratitude to God Almighty”.
She was also grateful to Coaches Ishaiku Kwange and Musa Abdul “for giving me the basics and the foundation that I needed in tennis.
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“I am also grateful to Candy Idoko and Moses Makun and Joma Sports for their support towards the successful hosting of this tournament.
“And to everyone who contributed in one way or the other to make this event a success, I am grateful to you”.