Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, others begin chase for laurels at ITF W/Chair Tennis Futures

Team Nigeria arrived Abuja yesterday as the country begin the chase for medals at the 2018 Puma ITF Wheelchair Tennis Futures holding in the Nigerian capital.

Also in Abuja for the annual event ate teams from Ghana, Kenya, Zambia and Rwanda.

The hosts ended their week-long close camping in Lagos on Monday which followed the national ranking tournament that featured over 80 players from all parts of the country.

Ten male and five female players will represent Nigeria at the $3,000 prize-money four-day championship which was facilitated by former Nigeria Tennis Federation president, Engr. Sani Ndanusa.

Nigeria won a number of African tournaments in the year past before losing its top ranking on the continent due to lack of continental activities and the country is led by the top-ranked player and London 2012 Paralympian, Alex Adewale.

Adewale, the only player among the Nigerian contingents with ITF Futures experience - having taken part in a similar tournament held in the United States in 2013 –, has won the last six editions of the Central Bank of Nigeria Open.

Wasiu Yusuf is another of the home players with international exposure as he represented Nigeria at both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics.

Other male members of the team are Kayode Alabi, Rasak Balogun, Jelili Ishola, Muhammed Audu, William Ukari, Idowu Ajani, Kazeem Akanbi and Stephen Amodu. Kafayat Omisore, Tosin Dawodu, Chituru Nwazuzu, Oluwakemi Oluwasegun and Foluke Shodeinde will lead Nigeria’s quest for glory in the women’s category.

Nigeria Tennis Federation scribe, Mariam Akande confirmed Kenya’s arrival while Ghana wee being expected yesterday evening en-route Lagos.