IKPO IGBINOBA
Nigeria’s top Wheelchair Tennis player, Alex Adewale held on to his crown on Thursday after defeating an old foe, Wasiu Yusuf 6-4, 6-2 in the final of the maiden Vemp Wheelchair Tennis Championship.
The final was the climax of the four-day Tennis tournament which drew players from all over the country.
Kudos should be given to organisers of the tournament led by Head, Wheelchair Department of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, NTF, Lateef Shodipo who pulled through with the event in spite of the elements.
The play was interrupted by the rains for almost one hour with Adewale already leading.
The champion sealed his victory after the rains. He received N100,000 for his effort and a trophy.
In the ladies category, Kafayat Omisore was too hot for Foluke Sodeinde to handle. She defeated Foluke the giant killer by two sets of 6-1, 6-2.
Spectators were shocked at the dismal performance of Foluke who a day before upset the number one seed Chitiru Nwanozuzu.
Kafayat also pocketed N100,000 for her victory.
Meanwhile, the champion, Adewale has dedicated his victory to the chairman of the Edo State Tennis Association, Mr Joseph Osawaru.
Adewale, one of the only two Nigerians to have played Wheelchair Tennis in the Paralympics in London 2012 said the Edo chairman has always been a pillar of Tennis in the state.
According to him “Our chairman, Mr Joseph Osawaru has been very supportive of Tennis in Edo State.
“In fact, even before becoming the chairman of the association, he was already supporting Tennis.
“He assisted those of us who came for this championship. I am therefore dedicating this victory of mine to him for all his support”
Apart from being the chairman of the Edo State Association, Mr Osawaru is also the South South representative on the board of the NTF.
He will bankroll a Wheelchair Tennis tournament in December for the six states in the South South zone.
The states are Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom.
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