82.ng Tennis Championship: Edo Showcases Fresh Talents

by Idahosa Musa

The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin came alive as emerging tennis talents took center stage at the maiden Edo Youth Tennis Championship, with organizers promising to make the competition an annual platform for grassroots development.

The championship, organised by 82.ng in collaboration with the Edo State Tennis Association, featured Under-12 and Under-16 boys and girls, providing the youngsters with an opportunity to test their skills in a competitive environment.

Among the standout performers were Ohimai Prosper and Bugor Emmanuel Gold, who emerged champions in their respective female and male categories after impressive displays during the tournament.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, commended 82.ng for investing in the development of young athletes and urged other corporate organizations to follow suit.

Enabulele, represented by the Executive Director representing Edo North on the commission’s board, Hon. Frank Ilaboya, said sustained private-sector investment in grassroots sports could produce athletes capable of representing Nigeria at the highest level.

He assured sports sponsors and organizers in the state of the commission’s support, stressing that young athletes needed regular competitions to discover and nurture their potential.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of 82.ng, Mr Victor Ezewoko Ugwuala, said the tournament was his company’s way of giving back to the community where his own tennis journey began.

He pledged that the championship would become an annual event and disclosed plans to extend the initiative to squash.

Also speaking, the Business Development Consultant of 82.ng and Project Consultant for the championship, Eddy Ohwofasa, said the organizers’ vision was to establish one of Nigeria’s leading youth tennis competitions and create a professionally organized platform for young players to compete and showcase their talents.