Amasiani brothers, Okon-James, Michael win tennis awards

Okon-James

The Amasiani brothers from Abuja were excellent at the Chevron Junior Tennis Masters, where they swept the top prizes to cement their reputation as among the most promising young tennis talents in the country.

The coaching and training clinic that impacted close to 1000 school children in seven locations across the country ended with fanfare on Saturday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club.

The Masters tournament which featured competitions in three age groups – boys and girls 12s, 14s and 16s – saw a display of very high skill levels in all the categories with the Amasiani brothers going away with two titles.

Ikem Amasiani started the victory run by edging Adeiza Yakubu from Lagos in the Boys’ 12s final, while Dubem, the older brother, who is 12 and is one of the most promising juniors in Nigeria, moved up one age group and still came out victorious against Seyi Ogunsakin from Ekiti. The Boys 16s title was won by Gbolahan Olawale from Ondo who bested Yohana Yakubu from Abuja.

In the Girls’ events, Aina Goodnews from Ondo won the Girls 16s, beating Sarah Adisa from Ondo, while Mofifun Atilola from Lagos won the girls title in a closely contested match against Salvation Alex from Abuja.

Favour Okon-James from the Geuf Tennis Academy in Uyo won the Girls 14s, upsetting pre-match favourite Gloria Samuel from Ekiti. Okon-James also got the most improved player (MIP) award, which fetched her a special trophy. The MIP for the boys went to Joel Michael, a 12-year-old, who also upgraded to the 14s and gave the finalists a run for their money in the group stages and the semifinals.

The General Manager, Policy and Government Affairs of Chevron, Ebimaje Brikinn, in his address said Chevron Nigeria was very happy with the impact the