Sports

VEMP Tennis Open: Imeh, Musa, Marylove Zoom Into Quarterfinals

Published

5 years ago

November 10, 2021

Nigerian number one, Joseph Imeh defeated Kushimo Usman 7-6, 6-3 to picked the quarterfinals ticket at the ongoing 3rd edition of the VEMP National Open Tennis Championship.

In the round of 16 match decided on Wednesday at the National Tennis Centre, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, Imeh dig deep to beat stubborn Usman. Also Nigerian number 5, Musa Muhammed edged highly rated Attah Isaac 6-4, 6-3 to reach the last eight.

Junior international, Wilson Igbinovia outlasted Philip Sunday 6-4, 5-0 rtd to set up a quarterfinal clash with Chima Michael while old war horse Henry Atseye overpowered Osewa Micheal 6-1, 3-0 rtd.

Promising star Oparaoji Uche humbled Adehi Oche 6-4, 6-3 in the keenly contested encounter.

In the female category, Dala Hard Court champion, Edward Marylove thrashed Okhinaye Destiny 6-1, 6-1 to cruise into the quarterfinal in grand style.

Aiyegbusi Aanu also continue her title chase with a victory over Omotayo Blessing in 6-0, 6-0.

Action returns on Thursday with mouthwatering quarterfinal matches at the national Tennis Centre in Abuja.

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Sports

Tinubu, Fashola, Governors, UNESCO, Sports Leaders to Headline National Grassroots Sports Summit

Published

5 hours ago

October 29, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The stage is being set for a landmark gathering at the Presidential Villa as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and leading figures from government, sports administration and international development feature in the proposed opening-day programme of the National Grassroots Sports Development Summit 2026.

In a statement signed by Thursday by the Chairperson Media Sub-com National Grassroot Sports Summit Dr. (Mrs.) Kehinde Ajayi stated that, the two-day Summit, scheduled for November 18–19, 2026, at the Banquet Hall, State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja, is being organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye.

With the theme “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” the gathering seeks to produce practical solutions to Nigeria’s longstanding challenges in talent discovery, infrastructure, funding, coaching and athlete development.

The opening day, Wednesday, November 18, promises high-level engagement, with President Tinubu listed as Special Guest of Honour, while Fashola is scheduled to deliver a keynote address.

Also featuring in the Day One programme is Dr. Tayo Aduloju, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), whose organization has been engaged as technical partner to help translate discussions into a workable development roadmap.

Other personalities and institutions on the opening-day lineup include the Chairman and Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade; the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum; the President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON); and the Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Nigeria.

Also listed are Barrister Enitan Oshodi, President of the African Table Tennis Federation; the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee; and Dr. Musa Nakorji of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Research Department.

The involvement of these personalities reflects the Summit’s emphasis on connecting sports development with economic planning, education, grassroots governance, international cooperation and private-sector investment.

Adeboye described the gathering as an opportunity to move Nigerian sports beyond isolated achievements towards a coordinated national development system.

“The real question is not whether Nigeria has sporting talent.
We know we have talent in abundance. The question is how we build a system that discovers, nurtures and supports that talent consistently, from our communities and schools to the international stage,” he said.

He stressed that the participation of state governments, local councils, development institutions and sports administrators would be critical to producing lasting outcomes.

The Summit will continue on Thursday, November 19, with further stakeholder engagements aimed at developing actionable recommendations for sustainable grassroots sports development with preparations intensifying, organizers are confident that the gathering will provide a defining platform for strengthening the foundation of Nigerian sports and expanding opportunities for young people nationwide.

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