NEWS
Abia Tennis Players to Get International Exposure
Abia Tennis Players to Get International Exposure
Abia State tennis players are set to receive greater national and international exposure as the state intensifies efforts to develop the sport and create more opportunities for its athletes.The Chairman of the Abia State Tennis Association, Chief Samson Anagha, disclosed this during the closing ceremony of the maiden Abia South East Tennis Championship held at Aba Sports Club 1926.Anagha urged the players not to be satisfied with merely participating in competitions, but to set their sights on reaching the highest levels of the sport.“There’s no day, week or month that sporting activities are not taking place,” the chairman said, while commending the state government for creating an environment that has made such sporting activities possible.The championship also produced impressive performances from the participating states.In the Men’s Doubles, Abia State claimed the gold medal through Ehigamuse Endurance and Akwilam Lucius, while Imo State’s Akagha Samuel and Chukwuemeka Chibuike settled for silver. Enugu State’s Uwandu Charles and Nwaizu Chikwesirieze won bronze.In the Boys’ U-18 Doubles, Imo State emerged champions, with Nwosu Henry and Okechukwu Emmanuel winning gold. Abia’s Nweke Chibueze and Obinna Chinedu took silver, while bronze went to Abia’s Nwaizu Chikwesirieze and Onuoha Prince, alongside Ebonyi’s Mbam Johannes and Okoye Onyebuchi.At the end of the championship, Imo State emerged overall champions, with host Abia finishing second and Enugu State placing third.Declaring the championship closed on behalf of the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Nwadimma Ananaba, the Director of Sports, Comrade George Obioma, expressed appreciation to Governor Dr Alex Otti for his invaluable contribution to sports development in the state.Obioma noted that Abia sports had “unarguably moved from where it used to be to a place of envy among other states.”“The hosting of this tennis championship has rekindled tennis in Abia. Tennis previously was not our area of advantage, but we have taken the governor’s directives to heart to develop all sports. Abia will continue to lead in sports development in the South East,” he said.He further assured that the second edition of the championship would be hosted next year, stressing that the Abia State Sports Council remained determined to sustain the momentum and not let the governor down.Among the dignitaries who graced the closing ceremony were the 6 East Zonal Representative of the National Sports Commission, Chief Bernard Ezema; Abia State Director of Sports, Comrade George Obioma; Anambra State Director of Sports, Emeka Obidimma; Ebonyi State Director of Sports, Alep David; and Imo State Director of Sports, Lady Justina Okpulo.
By Joseph Jacob
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