Friday, Yakubu for Zenith Bank “Next Gen” Junior Tennis Masters

Gabriel Friday from Kaduna and Oiza Yakubu of Lagos, winners of the boys’ 16 and girls’ 14 titles at the recently concluded CBN Junior Tennis Championship, have been granted wild cards into the Zenith Bank “Next Gen” Junior Tennis Masters scheduled to take place at the National Stadium Surulere from April 24 to April 28.

The International Tennis Academy (ITA), organisers of the inaugural event, announced the wild cards in Lagos today and said the decision was based on the outstanding performance of these two players in the junior championship.

“They both displayed a very high level of play and we hope that giving them a wild card and having them take part in the Zenith Masters will boost their confidence,” Kienka, director of the ITA said.

The Zenith Bank “Next Gen” Masters is featuring eight boys and girls in the 17 to 18 age bracket with the aim of fast tracking their progress into the senior ranks. Seven of these players who all developed through the ITA Junior Tennis Circuit platform are already in the top 30 of the senior ranking list.

The players invited for the Masters event are: Godgift Timibra, Michael Oshewa, Stephen Augustine, Chris Itodo, Tochukwu Ezeh, Abayomi Philips, Emmanuel Jebutu and Michael Ayoola for the boys’ event.

Toyin Asogba, Oyin Quadri, Favour Moses, Omolade Aderemi, Omolayo Bamidele, Mariam Alli-Balogun, Rebecca Ekpeyong and Kasara Adegboyega are listed for the girls.

According to the organisers, the players will be divided into two round robin groups with the top two emerging to play through the semifinals to the finals.