Nine-year-old Kobi Ashinze and 200 other players are in Lagos for the 5th Adewale Isa Foundation Junior Tennis Championship slated for the National Stadium, Surulere.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that it was like a carnival on Wednesday as expected players trooped to the stadium.
The Cadet tennis championship is witnessing a massive turnout of youngsters at the tennis section of the stadium.
Headlining the arrivals is Ashinze from the U.S., who will compete in the U-12 category of the championship.
The championship is one of the most competitive, not just for the reward but also for the caliber of players participating.
Ashinze’s mum, Sheila, in an interview on the sidelines of the event, expressed her delight to have her daughter in the tournament.
Ashinze is the youngest player at the event.
”The tournament was recommended to her since she was already visiting her hometown, meaning that we added the trip to other activities although it was motivation for Kobi, Sheila said.
Also, players from 20 states across the country are already at the venue for one of Nigeria’s biggest national junior tennis tournaments.
All the top national juniors, including Seyi Ogunsakin, Chukwudubem Amasiani, Mofifunoluwa Atilola, Bright Emmanuel, and Goodnews Aina, among others, are in the competition.
The 13-year-old Amasiani – winner of the boys U-14 in the 2023 edition – has moved to the U-16 category just as Atilola, who is barely 11, opted to participate in the U-14 category.
He has won every U-12 tournament in Nigeria.
The Media Officer of the tournament, Damilare Okunola, said he believed that the development was a clear indication of the level of growth of the players over the years, adding that they wanted more talents discovered in the junior cadre of the championship.
NAN reports that the event which served off on Aug. 13 will end on Aug. 17. (NAN)
