Delta State has won the U-21 boys category of the just concluded 6th edition of Prince Victor Uwakwe Lawn Tennis Tournament while Rivers State won the U-21 girls and the U-15 boys and girls category.
The tournament which is the sixth edition with over sixty participants from South East and South South regions, started on August 2 and ended on 12 at the Enugu Sports Club.
At the U-21 final played inside Sports Club Tennis Court, Paul Okonkwo of Delta State won the male category after defeating his counterpart from Rivers State, John Nubari 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 while Timipre Maxwell from Rivers emerged female U-21 champion after beating Amara Odoh from Enugu 6-1, 6-4 at the final.
Rivers state Abenego Godwin defeated Prince Onoura of Enugu state 6-4 6-0 in the final to emerge the winner of U-15 boys category while his counterpart Fego Ayetuoma of Rivers State edged out eight year old Karina Opueme of Bayelsa State 1-4, 4-0 7-2 to win the under 15 girls category.
However, the 8-year Opuene from Bayelsa who narrowly lost to Rivers state opponent in the finals of U-15 female category in a tie breaker has been promised to join the Nadal Academy in Spain by Spanish Sports scout who witnessed the final game at Enugu Sports club.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, the sponsor of the tournament, Prince Victor Uwakwe urged the players to make discipline their watch word for them to reach their peak in the game.
The sponsor was full of praise for the Bayelsa coach for recruiting players from the scratch. He referring to the youngest female tennis player at the tournament an eight years Karima Opuene from Bayelsa.
Uwakwe promised to make the competition stronger in the next edition and called on philanthropists in the state to help the youths through sports as there are lots of sports yet to be tapped into.
