Akwa Ibom state Tennis player, Damilola Agunbiade, featuring in the Boys 16s category of the on-going 2026 Central Bank of Nigeria junior Tennis championship holding at the Tennis courts of the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos, won two matches on Tuesday to better his qualification chances in the tournament.
The player who Lagos arrived Lagos on Monday beat John Israel 9-3 in his first game and defeated Joseph Austin from Oyo state 9-4 in his second match of the round robin tournament and needs one more game to move into the semi-finals of the championship.
Speaking after his second victory, Damilola who last featured in tournament in 2023 because of his involvement in and international to games in Ghana, said he is already eyeing the final.
According to him, there is no player that can stop his ambition of winning the Boys 16s title this year.
Accompanied to Lagos by his father, Tunde Agunbiade, Damilola said, ”I really trained hard for this CBN Junior Tennis and don’t see any player that will stop me from lifting the trophy.” he concludes.
Damilola’s father, said accompanying his son to tournaments like the CBN Junior Tennis tournament is to boost the boys moral and encourage him to excel.
Meanwhile, top seed and tournament favourite, Isa Yahaya’s hope of qualifying for the semi-finals diminished further yesterday following another defeat he suffered in the hands of Daniel Awe who defeated him 9-3 while Heman Afaramai defeated Wisdom Effiong 9-3 also.
Playing in the Boys 16s category, Mohammed Abdulakimo beat Rachael Awi 9-4 while Adesinka Alaba stopped Godwin Afaramai 9-5 to record his win.
In Boys 12s division, Gideon Peter defeated Jedidiah Essien 9-0 while Moroti Sowemimo had 9-2 victory over Chimviegwu.
More victories were recorded in the Girls 14s category where Pinky Onyemenam defeated Blessing Yusuf 9-1 while Sinmi Olaniyan beat Florence Adejokun 9-1. Pinky Onyemenam who was still standing strong returned to the court to complete her victory song by beating Amara Mohammed 9–2.
In the Girls 16s category, it wasn’t an easy day for the Wuraola sisters as Ziyyadat lost 3-9 to Omoyinka Ayinla while Khadijat also lost 3-9 to Barakat Ganiyu while Favour James beat Sarah Peter 9-0.
For the Girls 12s category, Venus Babalola outclassed Florence Adejokun 9-2 while Amirah .Mohammed defeated Lucia Stadiku 9-0.
Action continues today at thete nis courts of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, venue of the preliminaries ahead of Saturday’s grand finale.
