Sports
Nigerian Players Upbeat Over Governor’s Tennis Cup
Nigerian players participating in the ongoing Lagos Governor’s Cup Tennis Championships have promised a better performance to make up for their past poor showings.
Tidesports source reports that in the past nine editions, no Nigerian player had reached the quarter-finals of the two-legged competition.
The players who spoke with Tidesports source on Monday in Lagos said they were better prepared for the current championships than the previous ones.
“I think we have gained more experience with some of us taking part in the previous editions. Our performance in the past are not due to a lack of skill but exposure.
“But 10 years in any continuous competition with almost the same players participating in three of four editions are enough for any player to have good experience to do well,” Shehu Lawal said.
Fatima Abinu said the long training the Nigerian players had before the competition would help to improve their performance.
“I think we are better prepared for the competition than in the previous editions.
“The Nigeria Tennis Federation organised training for all Nigerian players who qualified for the championships in Kaduna, Ado-Ekiti and Port Harcourt.
“These have prepared us for the championships and put us in a competition mood unlike before that we all trained on our own and not as a team,” Abinu said.
A former national champion and coach, Thomson Onibokun, said the lack of exposure was responsible for the country’s poor showings in the championships.
“It is unfortunate that we find ourselves at this stage; we are not progressing in the game at all, compared to the 1960s and 1970s when Nigeria dominated tennis in Africa.
“Now it is a shame that Togo and Cote d’Ivore are doing better than us in tennis.
“Some of our players do not even have standard equipment to play with. The only way out of this is to invest in the game.
“There should be provision for standard equipment, sponsored local competitions at least twice a year and our players should be exposed to international competitions,” Onibokun said.
Meanwhile, in some of the matches played on Monday, Nigeria’s Candy Idoko defeated Shtelfen Solomon of South Africa 6-1, 6-4.
Clifford Enosoregbe of Nigeria defeated compatriot Henry Atseye, 6-4, 7-5 and Abuldmumuni Babalola beat Valentin Sanon of Cote d’Ivore 6-4, 6-2.
Kingsley Enosoregbe, also of Nigeria, defeated compatriot Samuel Omoile 6-1, 3-6, 7-6, while Nigeria’s Lawal Shehu lost to Ruan Roelofese of South Africa 6-1, 6-3.
In the women’s category, Fatima Abinu beat Alexandra Riley of the U.S. 6-1, 6-4 and Esther Masuri of Israel defeated Natalia Piqion of France 6-1, 6-1.
Nigeria’s Blessing Samuel defeated her compatriot, Oluwaseun Ogundare, 6-1, 6-4 in the last game.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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