Maha Christopher
New champions emerged at the 47th Central Bank of Nigeria Senior Tennis Championship in Abuja, with players claiming titles across the men’s and women’s singles and doubles events.
According to The Punch, 18-year-old Etoro Bassey stole the spotlight after winning the women’s singles title in her debut appearance at the senior championship.
Bassey defeated two-time International Tennis Federation junior champion, Ogunjobi Success, 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 in the final to cap a remarkable run at the tournament.
The victory marked a significant milestone for the youngster, who recently graduated from the junior ranks and was playing in her first CBN Senior Tennis Championship final.
In the men’s singles category, Nigeria’s top-ranked player and tournament number one seed, Abua Canice, delivered a commanding performance to defeat defending champion Michael Akpan Emmanuel 6-1, 6-2.
The victory denied Emmanuel the opportunity to retain the title and further cemented Canice’s status as one of the country’s leading tennis players.
Canice also enjoyed success in the men’s doubles event, teaming up with Mohammed Musa to defeat the pair of Michael Akpan Emmanuel and Sylvanus Ajano.
In the women’s doubles final, Mohammed Khadijat and Ogunjobi Success overcame Etoro Bassey and James Favour in a closely contested encounter, winning 6-2, 6-7(2), 10-6 to claim the title.
Speaking at the event, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, represented by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, Hakama Sidi Ali, commended the athletes, officials and stakeholders for contributing to the success of the championship.
Cardoso reaffirmed the apex bank’s commitment to youth development through sports and pledged continued support for the tournament as part of efforts to nurture tennis talents across the country.
