Sports

VEMP Tennis: Adeleye Seals Men’s Singles Victory in Style

Published

3 months ago

July 13, 2025

Joel Ajayi

Daniel Adeleye emerged champion of the men’s singles at the 2024 VEMP National Open Tennis Championship after defeating Lucky Danjuma 7-6, 6-2 in Saturday’s final at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The tournament, which kicked off on July 4, concluded on July 12 with Adeleye displaying consistency and dominance throughout. After edging a tight first set 7-6, he took full control in the second, sealing the match 6-2.

Adeleye’s journey to the title included a hard-fought 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 semifinal win over Canice Abua, a convincing 6-2, 6-1 quarterfinal victory against Mubarak Ganiyu, and earlier wins over Basit Ajao (6-1, 6-4) and Joseph Jimoh (6-3, 6-3).

Runner-up Lucky Danjuma had a strong campaign as well, defeating Uche Oparaji 7-6(5), 6-2 in the semifinals, Mevi Irimiya (6-2, 2-1, retired) in the quarters, and overcoming Paul Egena 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 in the round of 16.

Speaking after his win, Adeleye expressed gratitude and humility, stating, “This victory isn’t about the money—it’s about proving myself. When you work hard and stay focused, the rewards will follow.” He also thanked NTF President Ifedayo Akindoju for organizing the tournament and praised Danjuma for his sportsmanship and encouragement.

In the women’s singles final, Nigeria’s top-ranked female player, 15-year-old Khadijat Mohammed, showed remarkable resilience to defeat Etoro Bassey 1-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Mohammed overcame a shaky start, admitting she struggled with her rhythm in the first set. “I rushed my game early on, but I had to adjust and slow things down. That change made the difference,” she said.

Her path to the title included a 6-0, 6-3 semifinal win over Mary Udofa and a 6-4, 6-3 quarterfinal victory over Success Ogunjobi. Earlier, she had beaten Jesutoyosi Adeusi (6-2, 6-3) and Loveth Ogah (6-2, 6-2).

Reflecting on her long rivalry with Bassey, Mohammed said their encounters always feel like reunions. “We’ve played each other since our junior days, and she’s improving every time,” she noted, adding her ambition to compete internationally and elevate her career.

The VEMP National Open Tennis Championship, organized by the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) and sponsored by NTF President Ifedayo Akindoju, featured 192 players across men’s and women’s singles and doubles categories.

The tournament showcased top-level tennis and highlighted the growing talent pool in Nigerian tennis.

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Sports

FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification

Published

14 hours ago

October 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums

Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.

Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.

In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”

He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.

“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”

Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT

Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.

“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.

Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.

“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”

The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.

He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development

As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.

“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”

Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.

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