Abubakar Yusuf is one of the Nigerian players representing the country at the African Games in Ghana after being officially included in the team.
The youth player who was hoping to make the list but not expecting to be in the last four was shocked to have learnt of his inclusion on the team to Ghana.
He told Nigeria Tennis Live how he was informed about his inclusion in the team that is representing Nigeria at the African Games.
“I was actually returning from my prayers when the coach called me and said ‘Abu, congratulations. You made the team to Ghana’, I was wowed and thanked him. I’m very very grateful and excited to among on the team.
“When I told my coach, he was very happy and excited and told me that it was my opportunity to go and make myself, my family, my siblings, the upcoming players at the academy, my sponsors and also Nigeria proud.
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“He also asked me to just go there and play my best and be at my best”.
“And when I also told my parent, my mum especially was wowed and said this is the first time. She prayed very well for me and said I should go there and make everybody proud,” she added.
On if he expected to make the team to Ghana, given the quality of players at the camping, the Mambilla Barracks Tennis Club upstart said: “I was actually hoping to make it to Ghana with other players because when I first saw the list of players invited to camp, I told myself that if there would be a trial, I would give it my best shot and make sure I join the team to Ghana.
“The moment I was told that I would be going to Ghana with the guys, I could not express how I was feeling. I was very happy, very excited to come and represent my country here in Ghana”.
He has now set his sights on achieving something big for himself, his family, his coaches, his siblings and most importantly, his country.
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Yusuf said: “My target is to make my country proud, my coach, my family, my teammates, my club and everyone in Nigeria.
“I learnt a lot of things from our training camp. So many drills, foot works, so many strokes, and so many things that I had not experienced before. The camping exposed me to a lot of things”.
The draws for the tennis event at the 13th African Games in Ghana will be held on Friday, 15 March while the matches will serve off on Saturday, 16 March, 2024.
Nigeria Tennis Live will be on ground in Ghana to report all the activities from the Nigerian team to our readers and followers scattered across the globe.
4 Comments
It’s always important to stay focused and committed to the goal. Congratulations on getting to the starting point
Congratulations my dear grand son ❤️ . Still remembered how you started . You could barely exceed the hight of my chair at the tennis club, always beside me. . A big congratulations to our strong and wonderful coach Ishiyaka Oshoke of Mambilla tennis Academy Wish you the best. Ma Sha Allah. Also gratitude to the Engr Dayo Akindoju NTF President
Abu, go there and shine. We are all proud of you. My big congratulations to my personal person Coach Oshioke for his wonderous coaching skills.
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