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34th CBN Tennis Open: Babalola Chases Imonite’s Record

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The 34th edition of the just-concluded
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Tennis Open took a different turn as it
recorded come-back winners in the Men’s and Ladies singles events.
The tournament, organised by the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) was
held between May 3 and May 12 at the National Stadium, Lagos.
Favourites Abulmumuni Babalola, seeded two and Fatima Abinu, seeded one,
returned as the Men’s and Ladies Singles champions respectively at the end of
the competition.

Babalola beat Shehu Lawal, seeded three,
6-3, 6-4 to lift the Men’s Singles trophy while Abinu defeated unseeded Sarah
Adegoke, current African U-14 champion, 6-4, 6-3 to lift the Ladies Singles trophy.

Babalola had earlier won the competition
three times, in 2002, 2006 and 2009 to record the second highest winner after
legend David Imonite who had won it seven times.

The annual competition began in 1979 with
Kehinde Ajayi as the maiden champion who also retained the trophy in 1980.

Remi Osho dethroned Ajayi in 1981, but
Imonite took over in 1982 and won it three times consecutively.

He was dethroned by Sadiq Abdullahi in 1985
who also retained the trophy in 1986, but Imonite in 1987 dethroned Abdullahi
and came back to win the competition again three times consecutively.

Imonite was dethroned by Segun Balogun in
1990 before he won it for the last time in 1991 to complete his seven times
record.

“It will be difficult for me to break
Imonite’s record, he has won it three consecutive times twice, but I have not.

“I will need to break the three times
consecutive record first before meeting his record of seven times champion,”
Babalola told newsmen after defeating Shehu.

Tournament’s referee, Saidu Musa, described
Babalola’s performance in the tournament as ‘really a come-back one’ as he
played the game with his heart.

“I commend his effort. He played the game
with much determination and zeal, he was more reserved and did not allow for
detraction throughout his matches,’’ he said.

In the Ladies, Abinu has only tallied with
the record of Osaro Amadin who has won it four times but was yet to meet the
record of Veronica Oyibokia won has won it record eight times.

Anne Abimiku, was the maiden champion in
1979 and retained it the following year before Esther Onyekwelu dethroned her
in 1981.

Rolake Olagbegi dethroned Onyekwelu in 1982
but Onyekwelu returned in 1983, only for Oyibokia to win it four record times
between 1984 and 1987.

Oyibokia was dethroned by Nosa Imafidon in
1988, came back in 1988 and won it three consecutive times between 1989 and
1991 to complete her seven year record.

Amadin achieved her four times record by
winning it in 1997 and three times running from 2003 to 2005.

Abinu first won it in 2007, she was
dethroned by Christy Agugbom in 2008 but regained her title in 2009.

She successfully defended her title in
2010, was again dethroned in 2011 by Biola Akewula, but came back to win it in
2012 to complete her four times winner.

“I am looking forward to meet Oyibokia’s
record; I still have age on my side.

“This remains the source of my confidence
to meet that record and even beat it,’’ Abinu said.

Another female player who made record in
the competition was tennis prodigy, Adegoke.

Unseeded Adegoke stunned spectators as she
rode on the back of other seeded players to qualify for the final.

Adegoke’s coach, George Odiong, said that
Adegoke would definitely emerge the tournament’s champion next year

The Men’s and Ladies Singles champions went
home with N600, 000 each while their runners-up went home with N400,000 each.

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FOOTBALL FANS FIESTA IN PH IS TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY – Oputa

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Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).

The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.

The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.

He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.

Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.

” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.

“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.

“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.

The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.

 

Tonye Orabere

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Obagi Emerges OML 58 Football Cup Champions

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 The annual NNPC/TEPNG OML58 host communities cup 2025 edition draw its curtains closed last Saturday, with Obagi Community defeated hard fighting Akabta community 1-0, to lift the trophy.
The final which was held at  Obite Civic Centre (field) saw Chiefs, community leaders,  youths,  including the Total Energies JV Asset Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Olivier Cassasoles and people from all works of life in attendance.
Speaking at the event Mr. Cassasoles revealed that three best players in previous tournaments have been sponsored into a football academy within Nigeria.
He stated that  all participants are winners, as he reiterated that the tournament is aimed at promoting peace, cooperation among host communities.
He expressed gratitude for the peaceful organisation and conduct of both officials and players during the final of NNPC/TEPNG OML58 host communities cup for 2025.
On his part the Chairman of the Central  Organising Committee(COC), Mr. Saheed  Ogunsanya said Ubeta and Ubio will not be participating in the next edition as they violated  rules of the tournament.
Ogunsanya praised all the teams for their sportsmanship, stressing that this year edition was a success hence it maintained age grade of under 18 years.
He disclosed that two players have been picked from the tournament and they will be sent to football academy, while underscoring importance of the event to sports and youth development in the host communities.
This is the first time Obagi Community emerged champions of the competition since its commencement 22 years, as 18 communities participated in tis years edition.
At the end of the competition Obinna Godstime, emerged the highest scorer with 11 goals and Most Valuable Player( MVP) of the tournament.
while Michael Charles, from Obobru community became best goalkeeper of the tournament
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Niger Delta Games: Sports Facilities In Edo Excites Ikpokpo

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Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.

The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.

“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.

He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.

“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.

Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.

The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.

The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.

Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.

Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.

In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.

The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.

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