Sports
THE 2026 Adewale Isa Foundation Tennis Tournament ended on Saturday, with Heman Afaramai, emerging champion in the Boys’ U-16 category.
Afaramai defeated Mohammed Abdullahi 7-5, 6-2 in the final, to claim the title, while Abdullahi settled for the runners-up position.
In the Girls’ U-16 third-place match, Josphine Musa defeated Prosper Olimi 4-2, 4-0 to claim the bronze medal.
In the Boys’ U-16 third-place match, Damilola Agunbiade defeated Godwin Akinfunmilaye 4-0, 4-1.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the six-day tournament began on Aug. 31 and ended Saturday at the Lagos Main Tennis Club.
The tournament was held at the National Stadium Lagos, with young players competing for honours across various age categories.
Speaking with NAN in an interview on the sidelines, Sikirat Isa-Adigun, Chairperson of the foundation, said increasing participation remained a major motivation for sustaining the tournament.
She said the competition had grown from one child in its first year, to attracting between 200 and almost 300 children annually.
“Looking at the children, we are very happy. We are having more children coming every year. That is a big motivation,” she said.
Isa-Adigun said the family remained the major source of financial support, while some friends and organisations had also been assisting.
“At this time, we don’t have any major sponsors other than the family. But we have a few friends that are supporting us,” she said.
She listed TCD from Texas, Sisters on the Court in Dallas, Impact Family Foundation and IMPACT Foundation among those supporting the tournament.
Isa-Adigun said the educational grant introduced this year, was inspired by her late father’s passion for education.
“The educational grant came up because it is one of my father’s passions. When my father was alive, he made sure that the kids that he took in, had education,” she said.
She said three children benefited from the grant this year, with plans to increase the number to four or five next year.
Isa-Adigun said the foundation would monitor beneficiaries’ educational progress, while its previous training programme in the U.S. remained on hold.
“In place of that, we have the educational programme, which is one of the main things that Adewale Isa stands for,” she said.
“Education is very important, so we want to use that as part of his legacy,” she added.
Isa-Adigun said the new rackets presented to winners, runners-up and third-place finishers were aimed at motivating the children.
“It makes them want to do more. They are happy about it. They love it, so they want to do more,” she said.
Grace Oritingbeni, winner of the Girls’ U-12 category, said the tournament had given her hope and helped improve her game.
“I started playing this tournament three years ago. I started from U-12 and the tournament has helped a lot, giving us hope,” she said.
Oritingbeni said the tournament had also supported her education and other activities, adding that she was happy receiving her first MVP award.
“It means a lot to me because this is actually my first time playing in a tournament. I am so happy,” she said.
On his part, Afaramai said the tournament had been challenging, having played several tough matches against strong opponents.
“The big breaks have been amazing because this tournament is not easy for me. I have played so many tough matches,” he said.
He said he regained his confidence after falling behind against his opponent.
“I thought the guy was very tough. I was down, but I built my confidence up again,” he said.
Afaramai described his opponent as a good player with a strong serve and forehand.
“He is a good player, server and great forehand. He is doing multiple down styles,” Afaramai said.
Also speaking, Nurudeen Isa, son of late Adewale Isa, also a director of the foundation, said the family remained committed to sustaining his father’s legacy.
Isa said his father was a grassroots tennis coach who trained young players, helped them gain admission and supported their development.
“He was more of a grassroots tennis coach. He tried to help all the kids that were around,” he said.
He said the foundation continued his father’s legacy through educational scholarships and training tours to the U.S. for U-12 winners.
“We are not just organising a tennis tournament. We also make sure that we look after them as much as we can,” he said.
He added that several players who competed in the tournament had gone on to make Nigeria proud at the junior and senior levels.
According to him, the foundation plans to sponsor players for international tournaments and is considering supporting their university education.
Isa said 230 players from 30 states participated in this year’s tournament through the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
Goodluck Tersoo, winner of the Boys’ U-14 category, said the victory meant a lot to him, after planning to win the competition.
“I am very happy to win this competition. I have been planning it for a while to win this competition, so it means a lot to me,” he said.
Tersoo said the victory would motivate him to train harder and improve his game, while praising his opponent for putting up a strong fight.
He said he would continue working on his game and return stronger next year.
The final matches produced exciting results, with players battling fiercely for honours across the various age categories.
In the Girls’ U-14 final, Mububat Rasaki defeated Chisimdi Afam-Bonu 6-0, 7-6(9) to emerge champion.
In the Girls’ U-12 final, Grace Oritingbeni defeated Ginika Uwaleke 6-4, 6-0 to claim the title.
In the Girls’ U-16 final, Mofifunoluwa Atilola defeated Salvation Alex 6-4, 6-0 to emerge champion.
In the Boys’ U-12 final, Miracle Yakubu defeated Godwin Afaramai 3-6, 6-0, 11-9 to win the title. (NAN)
M.P
Tags: Adewale isa