Rivers and Edo states emerged as the major winners of the ninth Prince Victor Uwakwe Three-Regions Under-15 and Under-21 Tennis Tournament, while host Enugu again failed to secure a title.
Rivers dominated the championship, winning the Under-15 girls, Under-15 boys and Under-21 boys categories at the event held at the Centre Court of Enugu Sports Club.
Edo claimed the Under-21 girls title.
In the Under-15 girls’ final, Rivers’ Favour Emeka defeated Imo’s Nwosu Ngozi 6-1, 6-4.
Daniel Udimwbong completed an all-Rivers victory in the Under-15 boys category after overcoming Taiye Omoniyi 6-7, 6-3, 6-2.
In the Under-21 girls’ final, Edo’s Precious Ohimal defeated fellow Edo player Aigbagbe Esther 7-6, 6-2.
Rivers’ Joshua Maxwell won the Under-21 boys title after beating Imo’s Chimaobi Onuegbu 6-1, 6-3.
Despite losing the final, 17-year-old Aigbagbe said she was determined to return stronger next year.
“I feel good because we beat each other normally. The last tournament we played, I beat her, so this one she beat me. Next year, I’ll go home, train harder, and come back to win,” she said.
The tournament attracted young players from the South-East, South-South and South-West but also highlighted the gap between Enugu and some competing states.
Tennis Captain of Enugu Sports Club, Chukwuma Eze, described Enugu’s inability to produce a winner in nine years as unacceptable.
“It is an indictment on the state’s sports programme, but we are taking it as a challenge. We are embarrassed that in nine years we haven’t produced a winner here, and we are drawing up a programme to ensure that changes,” Eze said.
He commended Prince Victor Uwakwe for sustaining the competition despite rising costs.
“What he is doing is a vital developmental programme. We are now looking at establishing a foundation to ensure the competition endures and eventually expands into a Senior Tour,” he added.
Uwakwe said the rising cost of goods and services had made it increasingly expensive to organise the tournament.
“Managing costs and expenses, especially with rising inflation where items that cost 50 last year are now 100, requires careful adjustment,” he said.
He explained that the absence of South-West players was linked to clashes with other tournaments in Kwara and Lagos.
“Next year, we plan to move the tournament to early September so they can be fully involved,” Uwakwe said.
He rated the ninth edition at 70 per cent, noting that the absence of the South-West contingent reduced the level of cross-regional competition.
On Enugu’s continued failure to win the competition, Uwakwe said he would increase efforts to develop the state’s young players.
“Enugu State players are my children. We have put plans in place to engage more coaches and encourage players so they become far more competitive by next year,” he said.
He also called on South-East governments to invest more in school sports infrastructure, stressing the importance of early exposure to competitive sports.
“A healthy child is a wealthy child. Having a balanced sporting and academic life is essential for children to excel on the world stage,” he said.
The Executive Chairman of Enugu Sports Club, Barrister Augustine Ifeanyi Nweke, reaffirmed the club’s commitment to using sporting competitions to discover and develop future national and international athletes.
The Enugu State Government also pledged continued support for private initiatives aimed at strengthening sports development and creating a sustainable talent pipeline.
The tournament ended with the presentation of trophies, prizes and awards to the winners and runners-up.
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