The ongoing Azimuth Shipping Lines Junior Tennis Championship is beginning to gather steam with the U-16 boys and girls preparing to take to the courts on Wednesday, 23 January.
Nigeria Tennis Live reports that the U-12 and 14 boys and girls had begun the competition and played their hearts out on Monday and Tuesday, setting the tone for the big guns who take to the courts on Wednesday.
And ahead of their matches, national U-14 Champion, Daniel Adeleye from Ekiti State, has thrown the first challenge at fellow youngster, Gabriel Inyang, who will be competing in his first U-16 competition when hostilities commence.
Our correspondent had asked him what he thought of the U-16s, if he stands a chance and if there’s any player he believes might be difficult in the course of the tournament, and Adeleye mentioned David Dawariye as the player he’s looking forward to competing against.
“I have confidence in my ability and I believe that I can win this tournament, even though I am competing in the U-16 category.
“I have been listening to my coach’s instructions and I know that I can achieve anything if I set My hearts to it,” he began.
On the player he is looking forward to playing against, Adeleye said: “(David) Dawariye is the only other person I believe is tough in the U-16s.” And when he was reminded that Gabriel Inyang would be playing in the same competition, he smiled and said: “I know and I know him, but he will not beat me.”
Whether or not the players will fulfill their promises, Nigeria Tennis Live will report adequately, how the players fare after the first round of matches have been concluded inside the tennis section of the National Stadium, Surulere, where the tournament is presently taking place in Lagos.