Uche Oparaoji and top seed Marylove Edwards on Saturday in Kano emerged male and female champions of the 2022 Dala Hard Court Tennis Tournament.
Oparaoji defeated David Ekpenyong 6/0, 1/6, 7/6 to win N1million while Ekpenyong got N500,000 prize for the second position.
In the female single category, Edwards defeated Oiza Yakubu 6/2, 6/0 to retain her title and win N500,000 the first prize money while Yakubu received N300,000 as runner-up.
In the men’s double, Mohammed Musa/Shehu Lawal beat Lawal Peter/Timibra Godsgift -3/6, 7/5, 10/8, to win N600,000 prize money in the men’s double finals.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the event, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Nasiru Gawuna, commended the organisers for such a big competition.
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He called on governments at all levels and other well-to-do individuals to help with the development of tennis.
Represented by chairman, Kano State Sports Commission, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, restated the state government commitment to develop sport in the state.
He then called on wealthy individuals and groups to support the tournament as the only standing championship in the North.
Also, the President Nigeria Tennis Federation, Mr Ifedayo Akindoju commended the organisers for sustaining the competition.
Represented by Vice president of NTF, Abdulrahman Terab, said he was grateful to the Local Organising Committee (LOC), saying that the tournament has added value to the game.
“We are indeed commending organisers of this tournament, under the able leadership of Alhaji Bashari Muhammad Gumel,” he said.
The president noted that the NTF would join hands to move Tennis higher and take Nigeria to the rightful place it deserve.
According to him, the championship has been an exposing tourney for most Nigerian players.
He then congratulated all players that participated in the tournament for their sportsmanship.
The tournament was sponsored by First Bank, Fidelity Bank, Dangote Group, Wacot, Big Bull among others.
