Timipre shines at NNPC junior tennis tourney

Timipre Maxwell and David Dawariye of the Kodian Tennis Foundation Port Harcourt, last weekend claimed the 14 & under category titles of the 2016 NNPC Junior Tennis Circuit in Lagos, organised by the International Tennis Academy.

Maxwell, who was adjudged the most valuable player of the tournament in 2014, defeated her team-mate, Amiyefor Jim-Jaja 9-5 to clinch the girl’s title, while Dawariye brushed aside Musa Yahaya 9-3 for the boy’s crown.

“We are very happy with our performance here in Lagos and are dedicating our success to our chairman, Chief Ikenna Okafor, Ide of Akwueze, who sponsored us to this tournament,” coach Stella Epego, said.

She pointed that their high level of preparation was rewarded as eight out of the nine players that featured in the week-long tournament reached the semi-finals of their various categories with three going all the way to the final.

Daniel Adeleye of Ekiti won the boy’s 12 & under title by defeating Ahmed Mogaji of Kano 9-3.

In some of the semi-finals played on Friday,  Angel Mcleod defeated Fortune Aniso 9-1 to set up a 16 & under final meeting with Marylove Edward, who beats Toyin Asogba 9-4.

Matthew Abamu booked a place in the boy’s 16& under final with a 9-2 triumph over Benjamin Ayuba and will face Emmanuel Jebutu, a 9-2 conqueror of Matthew Adeleye.

Michael Ayoola will tango with Steven Augustine in the final of the boy’s 18 & under after 9-7 and  9-7 wins respectively against Christopher Itodo and Michael Osewa.