Sports
Tombim Tennis Open, Avenue To Gain ATP Points
Tournament Director of the
Tombim Abuja Tennis Open, Ikani Igabi, said the tournament’s main purpose was to create an opportunity for home-based players to earn vital ATP points.
Igabi told newsmen at a briefing in Abuja to usher in the tournament that the event was therefore a great opportunity for upcoming tennis players.
The Tidesports reports that the male-only tournament, which is now in its second edition, is scheduled for Saturday to April 30.
It is an ATP-ranked tournament, with 35 points at stake, and it will be closely followed by the Dayak Tennis Championship which holds from April 30 to May 14.
“The sponsor, Edmond Ajoge who is the CEO of Tombim Services Limited, is well aware of the difficulties and challenges faced by Nigerian players travelling around the world trying to collect ATP points.
“When the competition started last year, the primary motive was to help Nigerian players gather vital ATP points, and five Nigerian players became internationally ranked in one day.
“One of them, Moses Michael, got to the quarter-finals of the singles in the first week and paired Duncan Mugabe of Uganda to reach the semi-finals of the doubles in the second week.
“So, we are pleased to say that the primary motive of the competition was very well achieved last year,’’ Igabi said.
He however said the tournament was not going to be just for home-based players but also for upcoming players across the world to play in Nigeria.
The Tournament Director also said the event’s organisers would therefore be using the competition to showcase Nigeria in a good light.
“We want to use it to show we are honest, hardworking, friendly and peace-loving people, who are very hospitable to foreigners.
“Also, it is the firm belief of the organisers that an event of this nature will contribute positively to building the structure of Nigerian tennis and image of Nigeria internationally.
The tennis official added that, above all reasons, the organisers were interested in helping Nigeria catch up with their Egyptian counterparts who organise 40 ITF Futures each year.
“We are not interested in organising a one-off competition. Our target is to catch up with Egpyt who organises 40 ITF Futures each year.
“We are also anxious to attract the private sector to invest in sports in Nigeria.
“We have learnt from our experience in organising this competition that the key to having regular competitions is to cut down the excessive fanfare associated with competitions and stick to the bare essentials.
“The thing is for the budget for competitions to be manageable and look more attractive to private sectors.
“Also, this will encourage Nigerians to volunteer their time and resources in organising events like these,’’ he urged.
Gialuigui Donnarumma (Italy and Man City)
One of the greatest strikers of the past 15 years, Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, is among the big names who will not be playing at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
The 37-year-old Barcelona striker, who has scored 89 goals for his country, was not able to inspire his side as they lost 3-2 in Stockholm against Sweden in Tuesday’s play-off final.
Lewandowski, who won the German Bundesliga title on 10 occasions, twice with Borussia Dortmund and then in eight successive seasons with Bayern Munich, before winning La Liga twice with Barca, may have played in his last major international tournament.
Lewandowski captained Poland at the World Cup in 2018, but did not score in Russia as his country came bottom of the group. He had a better tournament four years later in Qatar, scoring twice as Poland reached the last 16 before losing to France.
He netted four times in Group G in 2026 qualifying only for Poland to finish three points behind the Netherlands, before losing to Sweden on Tuesday.
Gialuigui Donnarumma (Italy and Man City)
Another star that will be missing in action at the mundial is Gialuigui Donnarumma of Italy.
Italy lost in the World Cup play-offs for a third successive qualifying tournament
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season since he moved from Paris St-Germain for £26m in September, after helping the French club win the Champions League last season.
Despite being player of the tournament as Italy won the 2020 European Championship, he misses out on a World Cup again after Italy lost 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday.
Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund and Guinea)
Serhou Guirassy is Fourth in the list of Bundesliga top scorers this season
Serhou Guirassy has established himself as one of most prolific strikers playing in Europe, with 62 goals in the German Bundesliga over the past three seasons, while no player scored more than his 13 goals in the Champions League in 2024-25.
But he will not be at the World Cup as his country Guinea went out in the first round of African qualifying, finishing fourth in their group, with only four wins and three draws from their 10 matches.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia and PSG)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia helped Paris St-Germain become European champions last season, scoring in the 5-0 final win over Inter Milan, and he came 12th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards.
But Georgia had a miserable campaign in World Cup qualifying as they only picked up three points from a group that contained Spain, Turkey and Bulgaria.
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray and Nigeria)
Victor Osimhen has scored 26 goals for club and country this season
Victor Osimhen helped Napoli win Serie A in 2023 before moving to Galatasaray, where he grabbed 26 goals in 30 games to take them to the Turkish title last season.
Nigeria drew five of their 10 matches in the first group phase as they finished one point behind winners South Africa, but then had a second chance in the following play-off.
With Osimhen already substituted, Nigeria lost on penalties to DR Congo to miss out on the World Cup.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool and Hungary)
Dominik Szoboszlai has scored 12 goals for Liverpool this season
Liverpool and Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has impressed this season and scored some stunning long-range goals.
But he will not be at the World Cup after his country let a 2-1 lead slip in their final group game with the Republic of Ireland scoring twice in injury time to clinch a spot in the play-offs and eliminate Hungary.
Female wrestlers in action at Governor Diri Wrestling Classics.
Ondo State wrestlers dominated the women’s events on Day six of the fourth Governor Douye Diri Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa on Monday, claiming gold medals in two of the four women’s freestyle categories.
African champion Khadijat Idris of Ondo State led the charge in the 55kg division, defeating rising talent Mary Ayeloh of Bayelsa State by technical superiority to claim gold. Happiness Soso of Delta State and Augustine Rhoda of Lagos State took bronze medals in the category.
Damola Ojo also flew the Ondo flag proudly in the 76kg event, retaining her title after defeating all opponents in a round-robin format. Nigeria Army wrestler Laide Ojo settled for silver, while Juliet Ogo of Bayelsa State and Mercy Alison of Abia State each claimed bronze.
In the 62kg category, Patience Kakanda of Bayelsa State produced the upset of the day, defeating Nigeria Army’s Precious Tieberi 3-1 in the final to be crowned the new champion. Isioma Abojei of Delta State and Blessing Apah of Dynamite Club won bronze medals.
Rivers State’s Esther Asaolu also retained her title in the 59kg division, overcoming all her opponents in the round-robin format, with Patience Opuene of Bayelsa State finishing as runner-up.
In the men’s events, Solomon Ulabo of Bayelsa State claimed gold in the 79kg category, with Kpum Ayibasisei of Edo State taking silver and Rasheed Saliu of Ondo State and Ebisindei Okorie of Dynamite Club winning bronze. NewLife Ebikeme of Bayelsa State won the 92kg gold, ahead of Perezidei Obaze of Edo State in silver position, while Tobechukwu Udeh of the Nigeria Army and Timilehin Adekanmi of Ondo State claimed bronze medals.
-
Opinion4 days ago
Ozoro Festival: Tradition or Tyranny?
-
News4 days agoRSG Reiterates Commitment To Youth Dev
-
News1 day ago
Decentralizing Pipeline Surveillance Poses Greater Dangers To Niger Delta …. Group Warns
-
Politics1 day agoAPC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide
-
Rivers1 day agoCourt Rules Out Interim Administration In Jumbo House, Bonny
-
Oil & Energy4 days agoTranscorp Energy, Renewvia Partner On Renewable Energy Gap
-
Politics4 days ago
RIVERS WOMEN RALLY SUPPORT, CONTINUOUS PRAYERS FOR TINUBU
-
Politics4 days ago
AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR