Sports
Maku Triumphs At Keves Global Leasing Tennis Tourney
The 2nd edition of Keves
Global Leasing Tennis Championship 2014 has ended with Kunle Maku winning the star prize as he upset his brother, the former Nigeria number one tennis player, Sunday Maku, after a 3-6, 7-6 tie-break before he retired.
The championship, which featured 48 players at the Port Harcourt club Tennis section, popularly known as Freedom Squre, also saw Emma Afangide emerging champion in the veteran category while Chijioke Amunodi in court one and Charles Oruitemeka, the choir master, winning the coverted prizes in court two.
Othr winners include, Tonye Azike Alahaji of court three and Sam Umeh in court four.
Speaking during the tournament, the Sponsor and Managing Director of Keves Global Leasing Services, Ikenna Okafor commended the players for their performaces as well as the captain of the section, Emma Obiora, the Chirman Tournament Organising Committee, Cosmos Ntemuse and members of the section for their efforts in ensuring a hitch-free tournament.
Okafor promised to refurbish court one and donated the sum of N250,00 for the section to participate in the finals of Standard Tennis Tournament against Owerri club billed for Aba, Abia State this month.
He also charged the players to keep up the spirit, while promising that the next tournament would be better and more exciting.
In an interview with newsmen immediately after the competition Okafor who is also the Vice Captain of the tennis Section and Patron of the Rivers State Tennis Association said the aim of the sponsorship was to support sports (tennis) grow and create fun among members for good health.
He used the opportunity to dismiss the rumour that he intends to contest for President of the club, but said he would do everything possible to promote the game and commended the government on infrastructural development, while appealing for improved facilities at Port Harcourt club.
Also speaking, the General Manager of Keves Global leasing Services, Maxi Henry Umunna assured that the company would improve on its sponsorship every year and thanked participants.
Earlier, the Captain of the section, Emma Obiora had expressed gratitude to the sponsor, Ikenna Okafor for his desire to improve the courts in the section, and said the tournament would help prepare them for the Owerri championship in Aba.
In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.
NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.
The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.
Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.
The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.
The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.
