Tennis
WINNERS EMERGE FROM IKOYI CLUB/SEVEN-UP SECONDARY SCHOOL LAWN TENNIS COMPETITION
After an intense five days of technical tutoring and competition, winners have emerged from the maiden edition of Ikoyi Club Lawn Tennis competition for Secondary Schools in Lagos State, sponsored by a leading soft drink manufacturing company, Seven-Up Bottling Company.
ThankGodAdakole from Falomo Senior High School defeated another School mate two sets to one, to grab the Male senior category trophy, Ozioiza Yakubu from Gilbrata Secondary School emerged the Female Single Senior category winner.
Ohunene Yakubu also from Gilbrata went home with the female junior category medal,while Silas Isaac a JSS 3 student from Master Moulders Secondary defeated another public school player to win the Male Junior Category.
Various participants that got to the quarter and semi -finals were given award of encouragement, while coaches and other officials were recognized for their efforts and contribution to the success of the competition.
The competition which was targeted at developing talents and training the trainers had over 240 students male and female from the public and private secondary schools in attendance as well as senior tennis coaches with the support of National Tennis Federation.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Chairman Tennis Section, Ikoyi Club, Abimbola Okubena noted that, participation of players and coaches was outstanding as the aim of the competition and clinic was met.
One of the greatest score of the five day competition was the train the trainer session which focused on shaping the technicality of the tennis coaches.
He added that, there will be follow up on the clinic to sharpen the young star on technicality, game rules and overall flair for the game. As they are the future of tennis development in Nigeria.
Okubena, appreciated tennis federation and Seven-Up bottling for their various contributions toward the actualization of the maiden edition of the competition. ‘The competition is expected to expand to all secondary schools in Lagos next edition’. Abimbola stated.
Boys’ single winner, ThankGod Adakole, speaking on behalf of the winners applauded Ikoyi club for the idea and seven-up for giving a lead to developing young talents that will propel tennis game appreciation.
The Ikoyi Club was established as a European club in 1938 in Ikoyi, Lagos. It occupies approximately 456 acres of land. In the subsequent years, the club merged with the Lagos Golf Club. Besides the golf course, the club also has many sports and relaxation amenities for members and their families.
Tennis
Osaka parts way with her coach
Naomi Osaka has parted ways with coach Wim Fissette after four years together across two stints, the 26-year-old announced late on Friday.
The former world number one won two of her four Grand Slam titles under the guidance of the Belgian, but is currently 75th in the rankings having returned to the tour nine months ago after a lengthy maternity break.
“Four years, two slams and a whole lot of memories,” Osaka wrote in an Instagram post.
“Thanks Wim for being a great coach and an even greater person. Wishing you all the best.”
Of the 16 tournaments Osaka has played this season, she has made the quarter-finals in only two – Doha and ‘s-Hertogenbosch – and the Japanese player has also failed to go past the second round in each of the four Grand Slams
-Reuters
Tennis
Five US women in top 15 in the world for first time in two decades
Five players from the United States are ranked in the Women’s Tennis Association’s top 15 for the first time in two decades, the USTA said on Monday.
World number two Coco Gauff led the American charge followed by sixth-ranked Jessica Pegula and Danielle Collins, who climbed two spots to ninth on the list amid a remarkable farewell season.
Madison Keys was ranked 14th while Emma Navarro hopped two spots to a career-high 15th after reaching her first major quarter-final at Wimbledon.
The last time five American women featured in the top 15 was May 24, 2004, when Lindsay Davenport was fourth in the world
-Reuters
Tennis
Venus Williams among sporting figures to get own Barbie doll
Seven-times Grand Slam champion Venus Williams and Australian soccer player Mary Fowler are among nine athletes to get a Barbie doll in their likeness as toy maker Mattel seeks to shine a light on women sports role models ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Mattel unveiled the dolls on Wednesday, each with their bespoke accessories. Fowler’s wears gloves and holds a football while Williams’ doll, dressed in an all white tennis dress and visor as well as wearing earrings, comes with a miniature racket.
The former world number one said she hoped to motivate young girls into sports with the doll.
“I literally can’t imagine my life without sports and without the game,” Williams said in a video, in which she held the doll.
“I want other young girls to have that invaluable experience of playing a sport and what it teaches you and what you learn and what you take from it, not just that moment (but) for the rest of your life… I think it’s so important for girls to be in sports.”
Other sports figures to have a doll in their likeness include French boxer Estelle Mossely, Polish sprinter Ewa Swoboda, Spanish doctor and paratriathlon athlete Susana Rodriguez, Italian former swimmer Federica Pellegrini, Canadian soccer player Christine Sinclair as well as Mexican and Brazilian gymnasts, Alexa Moreno and Rebeca Andrade.
The dolls, unveiled as Barbie turns 65 this year, “(recognise) the impact of sport in fostering self-confidence and ambition among the next generation”, Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and Mattel’s Global Head of Dolls, said.
“By shining a light on these inspirational athletes and their stories, we hope to champion the belief that every young girl deserves the opportunity to pursue her passions and turn her dreams into reality,” she said in a statement.
-Reuters
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