National Youth Games: Team Ekiti Dominates Tennis Medal Haul

Team Ekiti to the National Youth Games in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital, have shone like millions, winning most medals in the competition.

Iretomiwa Oni led the medals charge with gold in Girls Singles, Girls Doubles and Silver in the Mixed Doubles.

She had battled Blessing Otu of Team Delta to clinch gold for Team Ekiti in the Girls Singles final, she won the tough encounter 6-3, 3-6, 10-4.

The lanky player then partnered Success Ogunjobi to defeat the Lagos State pair of Sunmisola Okajare and Justina Emmanuel in the Girls Doubles. The girls from Ekiti won in two short sets of 4-0, 5-4.

The pair of Oni and Oluwaseun Ogunshakin, however, had to retire the Mixed Doubles even though they were 4-1 up against Rivers’ pair of Favour Amaeshi and John Nubari. Thus, Rivers won the Mixed Doubles Gold Medal.

Abubakar Yussuf clinched gold in the Boys Singles after defeating pre-tournament favourite, Oluwaseun Ogunshakin in two sets of 6-3, 6-2 but fell short in the Boys Doubles, as he and his partner, Yahaya Sani, were beaten in front of a packed crowd.

FCT’s Lucky Danjuma and Saidu Sani ensured that Team Delta was not as lucky as Team Ekiti, by cutting their wings in the Boys Doubles. They won 1-4, 4-2, 10-8 in a tension-soaked encounter.

Thus, Ekiti won two gold medals and two silver, Delta won one gold, one silver, Rivers won one gold while FCT won one gold

Below is a list of all the winners from the five events that the players participated in.

Winners:
Boys Single – Abubakar Yusuf (Delta)

Girls Single – Iretomiwa Oni (Ekiti)

Boys Doubles – Saidu Sani/Lucky Danjuma (FCT)

Girls Doubles – Iretomiwa Oni/Success Ogunjobi (Ekiti)

Mixed Doubles – John Nubari/Favour Amaeshi (Rivers)

Nigeria Tennis Live gathered that the players will be presented with their medals on Tuesday morning before their departure.