The 46th edition of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Open Tennis Championship has crowned new champions in the men’s and women’s singles categories.
Michael Emmanuel and Adesuwa Osabuohien emerged as the winners in their respective categories.
In the men’s singles final, Emmanuel showcased his resilience and tactical brilliance, defeating Ikenna Okonkwo in a thrilling 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 match.
Emmanuel’s performance demonstrated his skill and determination, earning him the top spot in the men’s singles category.
The women’s singles final was a closely contested match between Adesuwa Osabuohien and Emmanuel Essien.
After dropping the first set, Osabuohien rallied to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, claiming the title. Osabuohien’s path to the final included victories over Khadijat Salami, Timipre Maxwell, Mary Udofa, and Blessing Omotayo.
Essien, on the other hand, had a strong run in the tournament, defeating Bajo Punriniman, Blessing Otu, Blessing Etoro, and Aina Goodnews en route to the final.
Despite her impressive performance, Essien fell short of winning the title.
The President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Ifedayo Akindoju, praised the CBN for sponsoring the tournament after a two-year hiatus.
He emphasised the importance of the tournament in providing a platform for athletes to grow and compete at the highest level.
The Governor of CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to nurturing talents, promoting excellence, and supporting initiatives that foster unity and development.
He highlighted the bank’s various youth-focused initiatives, including the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP) and the MSME Development Fund (MSMEDF).
In addition to the singles categories, the tournament also featured doubles competitions. Canice Abua and Michael Emmanuel won the men’s doubles, while Goodnews Aina and Favour Moses emerged as the women’s doubles champions.
The 46th edition of the CBN Tennis Championship has again demonstrated its significance as one of Nigeria’s premier sporting events, drawing top talents and emphasizing the importance of long-term investment in grassroots and elite tennis development.
The tournament, which began on July 18, came to a close on Saturday, crowning new champions in the men’s and women’s singles and doubles categories.
