By Daily Sports Nigeria on August 9, 2025

Lagos State has secured a minimum of three players in the finals of the TPPA UTR National Junior Tennis Championship at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, whilst the Federal Capital Territory also claimed two finalists. The championship finals will take place on Saturday morning with multiple titles up for grabs.

Nathaniel Aluko, a finalist in the Boys’ U-14 category in 2024, made a brilliant comeback to defeat Ekiti State’s Seyi Ogunsakin in a final set semifinal match on Friday evening.

The Lagos Country Club youngster was emphatic in the encounter, displaying brilliant forehand shots reminiscent of world number one Jannik Sinner’s style as he secured his place in the Boys’ U-16 final.

The Girls’ Youth category will see two players from Lagos State, Bright Emmanuel and Abosede Bamidele, compete for the coveted prize on Saturday.

Emmanuel, who has played three consecutive finals in senior national tournaments without recording a win, will be hoping to finally claim her first winners’ trophy.

Salvation Alex and Abubakar Yusuf, both from the FCT, will also be in contention for titles in the Girls’ U-14 and Boys’ Youth categories, respectively.

Other finals will feature Osamuyi Idehen from Edo State against Lagos’s Godwin Afaramai in the Boys’ U-12 category, whilst Oyo State’s Mabubat Rasaki will face Karina Opuene from Bayelsa in the Girls’ U-12 final.

TPPA President Segun Aluko highlighted the tournament’s growing significance as a scouting platform for emerging talent.

“Different bodies are here, they are also here to scout for good players for the new teams,” Aluko said.

“Over time, it’s going to be a scouting ground. We need to get scouts from Nigeria and also start getting scouts from outside.”

He acknowledged tennis’s reputation as an elite sport but emphasised the association’s efforts to support less privileged players through equipment donations and sponsorship initiatives.

“Tennis is elitist, yes. It’s a very expensive sport,” Aluko admitted.

“Children from less privileged locations that have talents, we can get them sponsors within their locality, but it’s actually difficult to be a tennis talent if you don’t have access to a tennis court.”

The association regularly organises donation drives to provide equipment for disadvantaged players, with Aluko noting that basic tennis equipment can be prohibitively expensive for many families.

The Lagos State Sports Commission, through its representative at the tournament, has promised rewards for the brightest stars at the competition, adding extra incentive for the young competitors.

All finals matches are expected to commence on Saturday at the tennis section of the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja.

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted August 9, 2025

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