Sports
VEMP Tennis Open: Imeh Battles Oche As Marylove, Aanu Clash In Blockbuster Finals
Nigerian number one, Joseph Imeh will be out in search for his second national title in less than three weeks when he lock horns against unseeded Adehi Oche in the men’s singles final of the ongoing 3rd edition of the VEMP National Open Tennis Championship on Saturday.
The Dala Hard Court winner, Imeh continued his dominance in the VEMP Open championship with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Ikechu Iloputa in the first semifinal match played on Friday at the National Tennis Centre, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Adehi Oche continues his fairytale
In the tournament by cruising to the final after his opponents Michael Chima threw in the towel due to injury.
Oche was leading the first set 5-0 before Chima called on the officials to end the game.
In the women’s final, Dala Hard Court champions, Edward Marylove will be up against highly attacking Aitegbusi Aanu in a match promises to be mouthwatering.
Marylove humbled Aderemi Omolola, 6-2, 6-2 as Aanu also dispatched Udokwelu Stella 6-3, 3-6 6-3 in the semifinals.
The duo of Joseph Imeh and Bikom Albert edged Mohammed Musa and Sylvanus Ajang 6-2, 7-5 (3) to emerged champions of the men’s doubles events.
Edward Marylove and Aitegbusi Aanu were crowned champions in the women’s doubles event after they outlasted the pair of Omotayo Blessing and Aderemi Omolade 6-7 (5) 6-1, 10(5) in grand style.
Meanwhile, the president of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) Engr Ifedayo Akindoju has called on tennis fans in the nation’s capital to turn up in their numbers to support the players during the final showdown at the national Tennis Centre in Abuja to serve off 12noon.
Sports
Nigeria Targets Grassroots Sports Revival as Tinubu’s Aide Adeboye Unveils National Sports Grassroots Summit
Joel Ajayi
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye Adeyinka, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of grassroots sports development in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to prioritise youth empowerment, education and national development alongside medals and trophies.
Adeyinka stated this on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference while announcing the 2026 National Grassroots Sports Summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The summit, with the theme, “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” is expected to bring together government officials, sports administrators, state and local government representatives, private-sector investors, development partners, coaches, athletes and other stakeholders.
The presidential aide stressed that sports development must be measured not only by international achievements but also by the number of young Nigerians whose lives are positively transformed through participation in sports.
He noted that while sporting excellence could lead some athletes to Olympic medals and World Cup glory, sports also offered millions of young people opportunities for education, personal development, employment and social inclusion.
“Sometimes, when we discuss sports development, we speak about stadiums, trophies, medals and international competitions.
“But I want us to remember that at the heart of every sporting achievement is a human being,” Adeyinka said.
He explained that participation in sports could help young Nigerians secure university scholarships, develop discipline, build confidence, acquire life skills and stay away from negative influences.
According to him, sports should be recognised as an important instrument for building character, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for young people, irrespective of their backgrounds.
On talent identification, Adeyinka expressed concern that Nigeria continues to lose potential sporting talents because many children lack access to adequate facilities, qualified coaches, encouragement and organised talent-discovery programmes.
He emphasised the need for an inclusive grassroots sports system that would provide equal opportunities for children in rural communities, public schools, underserved areas and different socioeconomic backgrounds.
The presidential aide maintained that a child’s sporting prospects should not be determined by geographical location, family background or connections to influential individuals.
He warned that without a coordinated approach to identifying and nurturing young talents, the country could continue to miss opportunities to discover future champions.
Adeyinka said the forthcoming summit was designed to develop a sustainable national framework for identifying, nurturing and supporting sporting talents across the 774 local government areas.
He added that the gathering would seek practical solutions to the challenges affecting grassroots sports administration rather than focus solely on speeches and ceremonial activities.
A major objective, he explained, was to move away from fragmented talent-discovery initiatives towards a coordinated national structure connecting school and community competitions with clubs, national competitions and international sporting opportunities.
The two-day summit will deliberate on five key areas: sports participation, talent development, infrastructure, the sports economy and international pathways.
Adeyinka expressed optimism that the recommendations from the summit would provide a roadmap for strengthening grassroots sports development, expanding youth participation and positioning sports as a viable contributor to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
He called on relevant stakeholders to support the initiative and work collectively towards building a sustainable grassroots sports system capable of identifying and developing talents across the country.
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