AJT Championships: 24 Players Vie For Nigeria’s 12 Slots

No fewer than 24 junior
tennis players are currently in camp ahead of the forthcoming African Junior Tennis Championships (AJC) in Togo from Jan. 10 to January 22.
Tidesports gathered that national junior sensations, Oyinlomo Quadri, MaryLove Edwards and Michael Osewa are top on the list of players in camp.
Only 12 players will qualify to represent the country in the U-14 and U-16 categories at the continental competition.
The camp which opened on January 2 in Ekiti is expected to close on January 9, while the Nigerian team will depart for Togo on January 10.
Also, in the male category, Quadri and Osewa have been in good form for about two years.
The duo recorded brilliant performances in the tournament they participated in between 2015 and 2016.
In the female category, Marylove dominated the U-14 category, winning all the major national junior championships.
She won the CBN and NNPC junior tournaments.
The player also came third at the ITF/CAT junior championships in Morocco in 2016.
A coach, Abel Ubeibi, who is with the players in camp, said that the players were ready for the continental tournament, adding that they were in high spirit.
“These young lads are battle ready for their opponents any day, anytime they are called upon.
“With the type of training they are undergoing, I am sure that they have what it takes to win their games without making silly mistakes.
“They have been eager for the tournament. I believe in them and can only say that they will do us proud in Togo.
“Although other countries will be working hard toward the competition but I am sure of good outing for our players based on their current form,’’ he said.
Ubeibi said that the final selection of players that would represent the country at the AJC would be on Jan. 6.
“The selection of the players will be strictly based on current form and only the best will be selected to represent the country.
“There is also a team event modelled after the Davis Cup, it is a new development by the ITF and we are also prepared for this edition,’’ he said.