2016 ITF/CAT AJC: Nigeria Makes Bright Start As Mcleod, Quadri Take Centre Stage

Host Nigeria got off to a flying start on Sunday with most of her players bagging victories as the 2016 ITF/CAT Africa
Junior Championships West & Central Qualifiers served off at the Tennis Centre of the National Stadium, Abuja.

In the Girls’14&u, Marylove Edwards made a winning debut by beating Patricia Nyarko of Ghana 6-1,6-0 and she was
emulated by Sani Musa, who edged Ivorian Soulemane Quattara 6-2,4-6,7-6(4) in the Boys’ 14&u.

Other Nigerians that won their opening round-robin games are Fortune Joseph, Toyin Asogba, Peter Lawal, Gabriel Inyang and
Daniel Adeleye,

The 12-nation tourney continues on Monday.

Abuja 2016 ITF Junior Circuit: Quadri, McLeod, Itodo lead Nigeria’s title defense, As Fund Stops LOC

2014 ITF/ CAT Top 8 Junior Masters fifth-ranked player, Oyinlomo Quadri, Angel McLeod, Christopher Itodo and South Africa-based Adetayo Adetunji will be leading Nigeria’s quest for a third successive title as the 2016 ITF West & Central Africa Junior Circuit gets underway in Abuja on Sunday.

According to the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), the quartet, who also played major roles in Nigeria’s winning outings at the last two editions of the tournament in 2014 and 2015, will lead a 24-player team which also has Bulus Christopher, Michael Oshewa, Gabriel Friday, Marylove Edwards, Suleiman Ibrahim, Daniel Adeleye, Timipre Maxwell and Rebecca Peter in Team A.
Peter Lawal, David Amusu, Favour Moses, Mariam Balogun, Sani Musa, Saminu Abubakar, Toyin Asogba, Chidinma Eze, Filippo Troimbi, Gabriel Richard, Fortune Joseph and Oyza Yakubi are in the team B of the host nation.

Nigeria’s coach Mohammed Ubale expressed confidence in the team to retain the regional title but stressed that more importantly, the country need to clinch the maximum eight spots available for the country to the main tournament billed for Pretoria, South Africa in March.

Angel Mcleod, daughter of the deceased, Beauty Mcloed

Meanwhile the NTF has stated that there will be no Local Organizing Committee for the tournament due to shortage of funds.

The event will now be coordinated by a team led by the Vice President of the Confederation of African Tennis Zone 2, Mr. Yemi Owoseni. He will be supported by a technical team which has Bulus Hussein, Rotimi Akinloye, Saidu Musa and NTF secretary general, Gloria Ekwempu-Chinwuko.

Benin, Cameroun, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo will compete alongside Nigeria at the tournament billed for the Package B of the National Stadium, Abuja.

Africa Youth Games: Nigeria face host Botswana, DR Congo and Tanzania in group A

Nigeria face Botswana, DR Congo and Tanzania in group A of the football event at the African Youth Games, Gaborone, 2014 which holds between May 22nd and May 31st in Botswana.

According to fixtures released by organizers Nigeria will trade tackles with U-15 team from host Botswana on May 22nd before battling DRC and Tanzania on 25th and 27th respectively.

Group B comprises Mali, South Africa and Swaziland, while the fourth team, Gabon has withdrawn from the event.

The Two top teams to emerge from the groups will proceed to the semifinals, while the Final of the event will be played at the Botswana National Stadium on May 31st.

Meanwhile, the Honorable Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo has assured the Nigeria U-15 National team of government support while also urging them to make the country proud in at the games.

The assurance came as the minister led a delegation of top sports administrators and NSC Directors which included the Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Honorable Gbenga Elegbeleye and Secretary General of the NOC, Mr Tunde Popoola to visit the camp of the U-15 Boys at the Package B of the National Stadium Abuja.

“You should redouble your effort to win gold and bring honor to the country so that I can lead you to Mr. President and you know when the president shakes your hand, other things will follow.”

On his part, the Director General, National Sports Commission, NSC, Honorable Gbenga Elegbeleye, promised to enroll the team for the Dana football tournament coming up later in the year in Denmark if they emerge victorious in Gaborone.

“We will continue to support and expose this team to international matches, our plan is to enroll you for the Dana football tournament in Denmark if you win gold in Botswana.”

The National U-15 team secretary, Wale Adeyinka who responded on behave of the team assured the dignitaries of a good outing.
“We wish to thank you sir for your visit, it will really boost our moral and I can assure you that our target is to bring home the football gold.”

The National U-15 team have played several test matches including, a 4-1 win over Dream Land football academy, Abia state, 7-1 victory over Kuso Boys, Kaduna, 7-0 win against Samba Boys, Jos, 2-1 win versus Starlight academy, Kano. The Dalandi Nasidi led side had earlier defeated the Super Falcons 1-0, AB Football Academy, Jos 9-0 and Hearts Academy, Kano 2-1, all matches were played at the FIFA Goal Project Center of the Abuja National in Abuja.