A host of junior tennis players, taking full advantage of the midterm holidays, have stormed the SNEPCo Junior Tennis championship which kicked off at the National Stadium Tennis Centre in Lagos today.
The championship which is in its fourth edition is featuring competitions in four age categories – boys and girls 10s, 12s,14s and 16s – with 178 players in attendance.
 |
| The youngsters gunning for glory at the SNEPCo Junior Tennis Championship. |
“The huge number of participants is a good problem to have.” Godwin Kienka, director of the International Tennis Academy, organisers of the tournament, said at the tournament site.
“The exciting thing is that most of them are within the 10 to 14 age bracket and the skill level is getting deeper and deeper.”
In some of the matches concluded on the opening day, girls’ 12 defending champion, Imole Afolabi from Oyo State took off with a convincing 9-4 win against Miracle Ebunu from Lagos.while Esther Oni from Ekiti also beat Mary Benjamin from Lagos 9-4 in the same category.
In the boy’s 10, Praise Ikeuba from Rivers beat Chinedu Obinna from the same State 9-3 and Joshua John from Lagos defeated Indian born Bellad Samit 9-2.
The tournament which is attracting a good number of spectators starts at 10 am each day.