VEMP Wheelchair Tennis Tourney: Wasiu Plots Overthrow Of Champion, Adewale

IKPO IGBINOBA 

After ten years of a dictatorial stranglehold on the throne of Wheelchair Tennis in the country, Alex Adewale should be preparing for the exit door.

Wasiu Yusuf, the player he dethroned to kick-start his reign in 2011 is plotting his downfall.

All through last week, Wasiu was at the courts of the National Stadium in Surulere preparing for the maiden edition of the VEMP Wheelchair National Tennis Championship.

The championship billed to run from November 7-10 will provide a chance for Wasiu to attempt dethroning Adewale.

After one of his training sessions last week, Wasiu told PM Express “I am tired of playing the second fiddle in every competition to Adewale. I won’t take chances in the forthcoming championship”.

Wasiu emerged as national champion in 2008 after sacking Jude Awazia.

But his reign lasted for two years as Alex bundled him out in 2011.

Every championship final since then had featured the twosome and Adewale had always had the last laugh.

In their last meeting, Adewale crushed Wasiu’s effort 7-5, 6-2 to hold on to the title of Nigeria’s best player.

“I won’t repeat the mistakes I made in our last meeting. That is the reason why I have stepped up preparation for the next championship” Wasiu said.

Those close to Adewale said the champion was preparing for the tournament in the Edo State capital, Benin City where he works as a staff of the Edo State Sports Commission.

One of his friends who didn’t want to be named told P.M. EXPRESS that “Adewale is always ready because all he does in Benin City is train, train and train”.

Lovers of Wheelchair Tennis will have a lot to cheer about when these titans(Wasiu and Adewale) hoisted the Nigerian flag in the London Olympics in 2012 and an array of budding stars jostle for laurels in the three-day championship.

Head of Wheelchair Tennis Department of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, NTF Lateef Shodipo said fans should be prepared to witness fireworks and upsets.

“There are a lot of upcoming stars in wheelchair tennis today and we should expect some of them to do very well. I won’t be surprised if there are some huge upsets”, Mr Shodipo said.