Samuel targets glory in girls’ category at SAPETRO futures

Gloria Samuel, the former champion of the girls’ U-16 category, is determined to reclaim her title at the SAPETRO Futures tennis event, which begins today in Lagos.

Last month, Samuel was stunned by her 13-year-old teammate, Goodnews Aina, in the finals of the NNPC-SNEPCo Junior Championship held in Warri.

Samuel, who had dominated the previous three junior championships, was visibly distraught after the unexpected defeat. Aina, motivated by a challenge from her mother to surpass her prior runner-up performances, delivered an outstanding game to clinch her maiden junior title.

In the boys’ categories, excitement is building as Benue’s Goodluck Tersoo, the surprise winner of the boys’ U-14 and U-16 titles in Warri, prepares to defend his reputation. Tersoo’s victory over Lagos-based Sanni Yahaha marked a significant upset, and he now faces the challenge of proving his win was no fluke.

The SAPETRO Futures event promises intense competition as young talents across Nigeria strive for glory on the court.

In the Boys 16s, Gbolahan Olawale from Ondo State, winner of the Youth Games tennis event will have to redeem himself having lost to Abuja-based Dubem Amasiani in the finals of the SNEPCo Championship.

The weeklong tournament is expected to end with a grand finale at the Ikoyi Club on Saturday, November 30.