Michael Emmanuel and Adesuwa Osabuohien clinched the men’s and women’s singles titles, respectively, at the 46th Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Open Tennis Championship, which concluded on Saturday in Abuja.
Organised by the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) and sponsored by CBN, the week-long tournament was held at the Tennis Court of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
In the men’s singles final, Emmanuel displayed resilience and tactical brilliance to edge past rising star Ikenna Okonkwo in a gripping contest that ended 7-6, 3-6, 6-2.
Osabuohien, on the other hand, fought back from a set down in the women’s final to defeat Emmanuel Essien 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a rain-affected match.
Also Read: Africa’s Best Ready for World Table Tennis Finals in Doha
Her road to the title included dominant wins over Khadijat Salami (2-0 RTD), Timipre Maxwell (6-2, 6-0), Mary Udofa (6-2, 6-1), and Blessing Omotayo (6-1, 7-5).
Essien also had a strong tournament run, defeating Bajo Punriniman (4-2, 4-0), Blessing Otu (6-3, 6-3), Blessing Etoro (6-2, 7-5), and Aina Goodnews (6-4, 6-3) on her way to the final.
NTF President Ifedayo Akindoju praised the CBN for reviving the championship after a two-year break, acknowledging the bank’s long-standing role in developing tennis in Nigeria.
“CBN continues to be a major supporter of tennis in Nigeria. This championship remains a vital platform for nurturing and showcasing local talent,” he said.
CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, represented by Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali, reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to youth development through sports.
He noted that the CBN Junior Tennis Tournament, introduced in 2006, had become a pipeline for future stars, with several senior finalists once competing in the junior ranks.
“Sports is more than entertainment it’s a tool for empowerment, engagement, and national integration,” he said, highlighting CBN’s broader youth initiatives like the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP) and the Agri-Business/SME Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS).
In the doubles events concluded on Friday, the duo of Canice Abua and Michael Emmanuel triumphed in the men’s doubles, defeating Thomas Otu and Abubakar Yusuf 6-4, 6-0.
Goodnews Aina and Favour Moses claimed the women’s doubles title with a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Blessing Anuna and Rebecca Ekpeyong.
The 46th edition of the CBN Senior Tennis Championship once again reinforced its status as one of the country’s top sporting competitions, attracting elite athletes while fostering grassroots development.
The championship, which began on July 18, ended on Saturday, July 27.
