FORMER national tennis star, Alhaji Rasheed Oloyede, on Thursday won the 5th Chief Funsho Abiri Tennis Championship (CFATC) decided at the Ibadan Tennis Club (ITC), Iyaganku, Ibadan.
It was Oloyede's second victory in the Ibadan Tennis Club-organised Abiri clay court tournament having won the maiden edition in 2014.
Oloyede, current Chairman, Oyo State Tennis Association defeated the defending champion, Mr Akin Orebiyi, 6-3, 6-0 in what served as a sweet revenge having lost to the latter last year.
With tension palpable in the air, Oloyede sent a warning signal as he won the first game without dropping a point, while Orebiyi made it 1-1.
Oloyede restored lead in the third game while Orebiyi also won the fourth game through his serves to tie at 2-2.
The turning point came in the sixth game as Oloyede who was leading 3-2 broke Orebiyi's serve to extend his lead to 4-2.
Undaunted, Orebiyi restored hope when he too broke the serve of Oloyede to make it 4-3.
Oloyede again broke Orebiyi's serve to extend his lead to 5-3. Interestingly, Oloyede who took over the serve came back from 15-40 to claim the first set at 6-3 within 30 minutes.
The second set practically turned out to be a one-sided game as Oloyede deployed his wealth of experience to control the game and conjured a 6-0 victory to the surprise of many spectators at the arena.
Oloyede, following this victory became the second player to have won the Funsho Abiri tournament twice, after Demola Olaniyan who won in 2015 and 2016.
It will be recalled that Oloyede defeated Yemi Asaleye 6-2, 6-4 while Orebiyi outplayed Adepeju Faboyinde 6-2, 7-5 also in the semi-final.
Speaking before the presentation, Coordinator of the tournament, Engineer Femi Adewumi commended the sponsor, Chief Abiri as he expressed appreciation at the turn out of participants.
"We have 43 participants which is the highest figure since we started this competition in 2014," he said.
Engineer Femi then reliquished his position as coordinator of CFATC adding that, "I have tried and I want somebody else to take over. This is my valedictory tournament as coordinator."
In his remarks, ITC President, Chief Ajibade Adelana said the introduction of Chief Funsho Abiri tournament has added values to tennis at Ibadan Tennis Club which has also boosted his tenure.
Meanwhile, Chief Abiri in his remarks promised to continue to sponsor
the tournament.
"I'm not doing this for political reasons but I believe we are doing the right thing and I will continue to sponsor this competition," he said.
Caption: ECSTASY: Rasheed Oloyede (left), receiving the winner's trophy from the sponsor, Chief Funsho Abiri.
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