The best assemblage of Nigerian tennis players is in the ancient city of Kano to battle for laurels at the 31st edition of Dala Hard Court tournament sanctioned by the Nigerian Tennis Federation (NTF).
This year's edition began on November 17 with the qualifying games culminating in the main draw which began on Monday.
Reigning CBN champion, Abdulmumini Babalola, leads the pack in the men's category. The former Dala Hard Court winner will have to contend with the likes of former national champions: Henry Atseye, Clifford Enosorogbe, Shehu Lawal, Thomas Otu as well as in-form Joseph Imeh, Christian Paul, Abayomi Philips, Joseph Iyorovbe, Martins Abamu and Emmanuel Idoko, who inspired Team Muller to the final of the NCC Tennis League Cup over the weekend at the expense of Team Ndoma-Egba.
Interestingly, defending champion, Sylvester Emmanuel now based in Spain, is not available for this year's edition.
In the women's singles, Christie Agugbom remains the player to beat as she aspires to defend her title.
Agugbom will have to contend with former champions: Blessing Samuel and Sarah Adegoke, among others.
Samuel who lost in last year's final will be looking forward to having a sweet revenge this time.
Also to give Agugbom a run for her money is former champion, Adegoke alongside Omotayo Osewa, Ronke Akingbade, Osariemen Airhunmwunde, Aanu Aiyegbusi and fast rising Aminat Quadri.
It will be recalled that Sylvester Emmanuel last year defeated Moses Michael 7-6, 6-4 to claim the men's singles, while Christie Agugbom outplayed Blessing Samuel 6-2, 6-7, 7-6 in the women's final.
The 2017 Dala Hard Court Tennis finals will be decided on Saturday, November 25 in Kano.
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Caption:
Abdulmumuni Babalola, can he win Dala title again this year?
Undefeated Ghanaian boxer, Isaac “Royal Storm" Dogboe, has fired a salvo at Caesar Juarez describing his January 6, 2018 Interim Super Bantamweight World Boxing Organisation (WBO) title bout against the Mexican as a "David and Goliath” affair.
The London 2012 Olympian, who boasts 17-0 with 11 KOs said he has what it takes to beat a more experienced Juarez (20-5, 15 KOs) to prove his supremacy in the class.
“This is a matter of a David and Goliath affair in the ring and I am ready for the challenge. I don't care about what Juarez camp thinks of me but I will prove my worth on the night to the people of Mexico.
“I can't miss an opportunity of this nature because I have been waiting for this throughout my career. This is the time to send a signal to the entire world about Ghana's prowess in boxing,” Dogboe, holder of the
WBO International super bantamweight title told the Graphic Sports.
Dogboe, it will be recalled, in July this year stopped Argentina Javier Chacon in round six of their 12-round bout in Accra, Ghana, to retain the WBO International super bantamweight title.
It was a strong response by Dogboe to his opponent’s camp for disrespecting the Ghanaian by describing the "Battle of the Gold Coast” as a walkover for their boxer.
The Mexican's manager, Sean Gibbons, was quoted by ESPN stating that they were concerned with judging than the fight since Juarez would be travelling to a country they had never been to.
Gibbons said his fighter was more determined than Dogboe and having gone under much stress than Dogboe, there was no way the Ghanaian could defeat him.
“So we're going to Ghana in Africa. I am not concerned about Dogboe. I think Juarez has more heart and more determination and is a better fighter. I'm more concerned with the judging than the fight and being in a country we've never been to. Dogboe is a nice fighter but he's
never been under the kind of stress Cesar Juarez will bring to the table.
“Are we happy to go to Ghana though? Not really. We'd rather have been in Fresno to fight Magdaleno like we were supposed to like we signed to do. But it didn't happen so we'll be on our way to Africa," Gibbson told ESPN.
Juarez was supposed to challenge WBO Super Bantamweight title holder, Jessie Magdaleno but the latter pulled out of the fight in early October saying he had suffered a wrist injury in training.
The WBO, however, sanctioned an interim world title bout, with Las Vegas' Magdaleno (25-0, 18 KOs) obligated to face the Juarez-Dogboe winner upon his return.
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Caption:
Dogboe (left) deals with Julian Aristule before he stopped the latter in round seven of their 10-round contest at Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand to win the WBO Latino and vacant WBO Inter-Continental super bantamweight titles in December 2016.
David Haye's heavyweight rematch with Tony Bellew has been postponed after Haye slipped on the stairs in a "freak" training mishap.
Haye, who has had surgery for a torn biceps, said he was "devastated".
WBC cruiserweight world champion and fellow Briton Bellew, 34, stopped former heavyweight world champion Haye, 37, in the 11th round in March.
The rematch, a sell-out scheduled for December 17 at the 02 Arena in London, will be held on March 24 or May 5, 2018.
Haye suffered the injury during training on November 16.
"After a freak mishap during a stair conditioning session, which I've done with no incident hundreds of times, I lost my footing and slipped," he said.
"I instinctively grabbed the banister to stop myself toppling down the stairwell. In doing so I somehow managed to damage my biceps.
"I underwent a procedure to repair it; this was pretty straightforward and my doctor and physiotherapist have no doubt that not only will I make a full recovery but will be able to be back in the gym to start my arm rehabilitation in two weeks.
"I would like to apologise to Tony, his family and his training team, as well as all our fans who have been left disappointed."
Haye last month had compared Bellew's win over him in March to "robbing a bank" and predicted a revenge victory in December.
But Bellew said: "I didn't rob a bank - I got in the boxing ring and punched him senseless then I went home."
He added: "On 17 December I will turn up and I will win again."
Former WBA heavyweight champion Haye needed surgery following the defeat by the 34-year-old, and has since split with trainer Shane McGuigan to join Cuban coach Ismael Salas.
The Londoner questioned Bellew's motivation for their rematch after he reportedly earned £2.8m from their first encounter.
"People rob banks to secure their family," Haye said.
"Would you go back to rob that same bank again? Is your hatred so bad for the clerk behind the desk that you need to do it again?
"I know what Tony earned for the first fight and he is financially secure for the rest of his life. He's a multi-millionaire and that's fantastic.
"He's got into a very small club of British boxers who have enough money that don't have to box, don't have to have a job. So I ask myself "what are his motivations going into the second fight?'."
"I've got a screw loose - I like having a fight."
Captions:
*DOWN AND OUT: Haye stopped in Round 11 during the clash in March.
*Another shot taken during the Haye/Bellew clash.
Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov became the first man for 19 years to win the ATP World Tour Finals on his debut appearance with victory over Belgian David Goffin.
Sixth seed Dimitrov, 26, claimed the biggest title of his career last Sunday as he won 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 at London's O2 Arena.
The Bulgarian collected £1.9m in prize money for coming through the tournament unbeaten in five matches across the group stage, semi-finals and final.
He will end the year ranked third in the world, with Goffin up to seventh.
Dimitrov had beaten both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on his route to the final, but couldn’t cope with an inspired opponent, as he collapsed on the baseline after his victory, appearing close to tears before hauling himself up to collect the trophy.
"I'm still trying to think about what I just did," said Dimitrov, who follows in the footsteps of Spain's Alex Corretja, who won the season-ending title on his debut in 1998.
"This is a great, unbelievable achievement for me, but I still have a lot to give.
"One of my main goals is to win a Grand Slam tournament. This has always been a dream of mine. Now, slowly, I think [I'm] getting there."
Injuries to Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic kept two of the sport's biggest names out of the ATP Finals, while world number one Rafael Nadal was forced to pull out injured after his opening round-robin match and Roger Federer was stunned in the semi-finals by Goffin.
But Dimitrov said it was too soon to say a new era was coming to tennis.
"Next year I think is going to be obviously pretty interesting, especially the beginning of it," he said. "There's still quite a few names that are going to come back and play. You should never count them out."
He added: "Am I one of those guys? Well, right now I'm right here. I'm the winner of the tournament. But that's about it.
"The important thing is just to stay on the ground and put your head down, even work harder because once you get to that point, everything becomes so narrow for you.
"I don't want to get too hyped up because I've done well, now I'm number three in the world. This makes me even more locked in, more excited about my work, and for what's to come."
While Dimitrov's season is now over, Goffin will try to help Belgium to a first ever Davis Cup victory against France this week.
"It was a special week for me," said the Belgian. "A week with a lot of emotion and a lot of fatigue. Now I am feeling tired but it was an amazing week."
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis
http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis
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Captions:
*Dimitrov celebrates winning match point against David Goffin during the epic ATP World Tour Finals in London.
*ECSTASY: Dimitrov down in celebration.
Chelsea forward Victor Moses was on Friday night named Nigeria's Footballer of the Year (Men) at the sixth edition of the 2017 Nigerian Sports Award held at the Banquet Hall, Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
Also at the award night being organised annually by Unmissable Incentives Limited, Super Falcons and Dalian Quanjian FC of China striker, Asisat Oshoala was named Footballer of the Year (Women).
Reigning African and Commonwealth Games champion, Odunayo Adekuroye, clinched a double at the ceremony as she went home with Wrestler of the Year and the Sportswoman of the Year awards.
World silver medallist, Adekuoroye beat Blessing Oborududu and Gofit Winnie to the Wrestler's award, while she also beat Asisat Oshoala and member of the 2017 AfroBasket D'Tigress winning squad, Evelyn Akhator to the Sports Woman of the Year award. Akhator however, went home with the Ball Sports Person of the Year award.
The Punjab Royals of India freestyle wrestler, Adekuoroye, after receiving her award was moved to tears as she sang in Yoruba to praise God for her modest achievements.
African table tennis star, Aruna Quadri clinched home the Sportsman of the Year award on the night {Friday} he moved to the quarter-final of the just-ended 2017 ITTF Swedish Open.
Quadri beat D’Tigers captain, Ike Diogu and Chelsea star, Victor Moses to the award.
Full list of winners:
Sportsman of the year: Aruna Quadri.
Sportswoman of the year: Odunayo Adekuroye.
Sports Governor of the year: Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) and Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom).
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mr Fabio Lanipekun, legendary Nigerian sports journalist.
Special Recognition Award: NFF President, Amaju Pinnick.
Discovery of the year: Georgia Oboh (Golf).
Sports Administrator: Daniel Igali {Wrestling} and Wahid Enitan Oshodi {Table tennis}.
Coach of the year: Akuh Purity.
Team of the year: National Women’s Basketball Team (D'Tigress)
Footballer of the year (Women): Asisat Oshoala.
Footballer of the year (Men): Victor Moses.
Journalist of the year (TV): Promise Efoghe.
Journalist of the year (Radio): Tony Bekederemo.
Photo Journalist of the year: Olusegun Aderinto.
Journalist of the year (Print): Lekan Okusan.
Ball Sports Person of the Year: Evelyn Akhator.
Wrestler of the year: Odunayo Adekuroye.
Special Sports Person of the year: Hannah Babalola.
Caption: Asisat Oshoala (left) receiving the NSA 2017 award in Lagos, from veteran sports journalist, Mr Fabio Lanipekun, while ex-international, Mutiu Adepoju looks on.
Nigeria's number one, Yemisi Olatunji and Olufunmilayo Gabriel last Saturday in Ilorin, won the female and male titles of the maiden AGF Abdul-Razaq North Central Invitational Open Squash Classic.
Olatunji of Lagos State defeated her sister, Busayo Olatunji three straight sets, 11-5, 13-11 and 11-6 to cart home the star prize of N50,000.
In the male category, Gabriel of Kwara State saw off the challenge of Lagos player, Onaopemipo Adegoke 3-1 sets, 11-4, 7-11, 11-7 and 11-7 to win the competition which also featured Nigeria's number one Sodiq Taiwo of NSCDC and number two, Lanre Abdulrahman of Lagos State. Gabriel following his heroics clinched home the star prize of N75,000.
The Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development in Kwara State, Mr Kale Ayo, who represented Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, while speaking on the occasion, said that government will not leave any stone unturned to engage the youth in the state meaningfully.
Ahmed, called on the corporate individuals and organisations to support the efforts of the government in promoting youth development.
He commended the sponsor of the championship, just as he charged him to do more by constructing a squash court, to complement the existing facilities.
Also, Yinka Duro, who represented the President of the Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF), Boye Oyerinde, commended the sponsor as he clamoured for more private sector participation in youth and sports development.
The North Central representative on the NSF board, Honourable Nyam Pa Darreng, commended the sponsor of the competition, adding that the board would encourage more private sector support for the sport.
The sponsor of the classic, Dr Alimi Abdul-Razaq, who expressed delight at the standard of the competition said that his family would continue to support the development of sports.
He stated that his family would be willing to exploit the public private partnership arrangement on the construction of additional squash courts at the Kwara State Stadium Complex.
Dr Abdul-Razaq also said that the gesture would extend to other sports, adding that sports is a tool for the elimination of social vices in the society.
Earlier in his address, Chairman of Kwara State Squash Association, Professor Yinka Buhari, thanked the government and the sponsor, for giving youngsters the opportunity to showcase their talents, and the association the opportunity to upgrade the facilities and bringing first-class squash and entertainment to the state. While congratulating AGF Abdul-Razaq on his 90th birthday, he called for the sustenance of the sponsorship of the championship.
No fewer than 38 players from six states, host Kwara, Plateau, Oyo, Ogun, Delta and Lagos states competed in the competition, including the Classic Plate that was sponsored by Professor Tayo Talabi of the University of Ilorin.
First winner to the 16th placed players in both the male and female categories won cash prizes in the classic.
The joint third placed players got N35,000 each, as fifth to eight placed players got N20,000 each, while those ranked ninth to 16th were rewarded with N10,000 each.
The AGF Abdul-Razaq North Central Invitational Squash Open Classic was staged as part of the 90th birthday celebration of Alhaji AGF Abdul-Razaq (SAN), the first lawyer from Northern Nigeria and former Minister of State Transport.
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Caption: Yemisi Olatunji also won the AGF championship in Ilorin.
THE Ashdam Solar 10th anniversary tennis tournament kicked off on Tuesday on the clay court of the Ibadan Tennis Club (ITC).
No fewer than 34 players registered for the intra-club tournament sponsored by a member of ITC, Mr Yemi Asaleye.
In some of the matches decided, Alhaji T. Busari defeated Mr A. Atoyebi in a pro-set singles 8-3 while Matthew Okoye came back from 0-4 to beat Ayo Adumati 8-4. Alhaji Baderin defeated Y. Oshilaja 8-1 as Mr Femi Oyewole, Captain of Tennis Section, ITC , advanced to the next stage having walked over erstwhile President of ITC, Chief Wale Jolaoso.
D. Gambo beat Alhassan 8-3, as Yekini Kasali triumphed over Femi Oyewole 8-3 while A. Olaniyan outplayed W. Akinyooye 8-4 .
J. Okoromadu beat Egnr. Funmi Oyetosho 8-3, as P. Faboyinde hammered O. Oyewole 8-1 as A. Olosun walked over L. Iranloye to move to the next round as well as Romiluyi.
Also taking part in the clay court tournament are messrs coach Yekini Kasali, Innocent Agwuncha, Matthew Okoye, A. Orebiyi, A. Olaniyan, J. Okoromadu, A. Olosun, M. Adedire, S. Oyewole, A. Baderin, S. Romiluyi, F. Oyewole, D. Gambo, L. Iranloye, F. Oyetoso, Y. Oshilaja, L. Hassan, S. Ogun, W. Owosho, P. Faboyinde and B. Adebiyi.
Others are S. Ijidale, I. Adumati, W. Jolaoso, W. Akinyooye, S. Ogunsola, MM Balogun, J. Taiwo, F. Ibe, S. Lawal, F. Ojurongbe and F Abiri.
According to Asaleye, the tournament is to further strengthen unity among members of the club and also create a healthy rivalry among members.
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Caption: Busari (left) and his opponent, Atoyebi before their game.
