Joseph Ikyaator National open tennis tourney splashes over 13m on winners

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The Joseph Ikyaator National Open Tennis Tournament has ended in Makurdi with over 13 million naira won by participants.

More than 140 tennis players competed at the tournament which featured the top seeded male tennis player Daniel Adeleye and top seeded women Khadijat Mohammed.

While the latter retained her position winning the female singles category and doubles with her partner and carted home 500,000 naira, the former was defeated in the quarter finals by Mohammed Musa who is ranked 7th.

The tournament which is the highest prized tennis competition in Nigeria, saw second seeded Kanis Abua defeat Mohammed Musa in the finals to cart home 1 million naira while the runner up got 500,000 naira.

Speaking with Sports writers at the end of the tourbament His Majesty Tor Tiv Ochivirgh Ortese Ayatse who is the patron of Benue Tennis Association lauded the Joseph Ikyaator Foundation for organizing the competiton to promote tennis in Benue State and Nigeria.

The paramount ruler of the Tiv Nation pledged his commitment to promoting and encouraging tennis, adding that he will ensure that a grand tennis tournament is held in the State.

Said he, “I like tennis and am committed to playing and promoting tennis. I already made a commitment to be fully involved in promoting and encouraging tennis in Benue State at different levels hunting for talents among the young people supporting them to be involved in tournaments and also, hosting the whole of tennis family in Benue State.

“So, am going to put my weight behind it and will draw as many as are interested including the leadership of the State to join me suport the promotion of tennis in the State”.

Victor Hembah representative of North Central, Chairman Technical, Nigeria Tennis Federation said the Federation is working hard at to restore the fortune of the game in the country and Benue State, assuring that there will lots of such competitions in Nigeria and Benue to harness talents.

Vachia Ikyaator, Co-ordinator of Ikyaator Foundation and main organizer of the tournament said the foundation remain committed and dedicated to grassroot youth development in terms of sports like tennis, basketball, education.

Hear him, “Joseph Ikyaator, my father was a tennis enthusiasts, he impacted alot in tennis. Back in the days, he supported a lot of youths to tournaments in different parts of the country like Kano and Lagos. So, the foundation is meant to sustain his legacy.

“The tournament was in two phases, all the ranked players in the country participated. The number one ranked player in tennis in Nigeria is Daniel Adeleye and he played úptil the quarter finals where he was defeated by Mohammed Musa who is ranked 7th. It was an upset. He got to the finals and played against the 2nd ranked Abua.

“There are several tennis tournaments but this is the highest prized. From the draws of 22, everyone went home with a prize money. The winner went home with 1 million naira and runners up 500,000. The number female tennis player Khadijat participated and won the singles retaining her top position and the doubles with her partner. She had a fantastic tournament winning with 6-1, 6-2 in all games

“In the finals draws for men, we had 32 players and the final draws for the women, we had 16. Before the final draws it was open for anyone to participate and qualify for the final draws. The total number of participants was over 140 players

The men’s winner Kanis Abua lauded the organization of the competition.

Kanis said he developed interest in tennis at age of 5 as he encouraged the younger ones to remain committed and focus.

While the women’s champion Khadijat Mohammed said, “I come from a tennis home so I just followed the line. Coming to this tournament I expected to win and I feel happy having fulfilled that goal. I want to pursue a career in tennis.

The tournament also, featured junior categories from under 10 to 14 who won various prize money.