10-year-old Opuene, others thrill spectators in tennis

A thrilling three-horse race is emerging at the ongoing second Niger Delta Games, with Edo State looking unstoppable as they continue to dominate the medal standings.
The tennis court of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is witnessing an all around the courts scene with tennis enthusiasts cheering and clapping as young tennis players applied themselves to the quest for medals.

Edo currently leads with 22 gold, 11 silver, and 12 bronze medals, bringing their total to 45. Delta State is close behind with 44 medals, while Bayelsa sits in third place with 26.
Edo’s athletes have been relentless across multiple sports, sweeping gold in swimming, athletics, taekwondo, para-powerlifting, and chess.

Joy Peremoboere Kimiakigha lit up the pool with victories in the 100m freestyle and 100m breaststroke, while Tissa Precious powered to gold in the men’s freestyle events.
In athletics, Solomon Okundaye stormed to victory in the men’s 800m, and Oseiwe Salami claimed gold in the men’s 400m hurdles. The state also celebrated triumphs in hammer throw, shot put, and relay events.

Taekwondo and para-powerlifting further boosted Edo’s tally, with Alegu Solomon, Emmanuel Ogbevoen, Nicholas Ojomah, and Philomena Edomwandagbon all striking gold.
Chess prodigy Omoruyi Sandra Osarugue added another golden moment in the women’s rapid category, while Obaisuwa Emmanuel and Emmanuel Audu delivered commanding performances in para-powerlifting and shot put respectively.

Delta and Bayelsa remain formidable challengers, with Delta’s strength in athletics and Bayelsa’s rising stars ensuring the battle for supremacy remains fierce.
Akwa Ibom State athlete, Hephzibah Okon, who won the 800m gold medal in 2.18minutes, dedicated it to Governor Umo Eno, as well as Honourable Commissioner Paul Bassey and sports administrators.

“I am really happy to win this gold for Team Akwa Ibom,” she said.
In tennis, all nine states are hopeful of getting a medal in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles in the men and women representatives.

“That is the essence of the Niger Delta Games, providing a platform for young ones from the villages and towns of Niger Delta region to be exposed to facilities that can accelerate their talent development,” Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Itiako Ikpokpo, said.
What really caught the attention of the spectators to the venue was the number of young kids fighting hard on the court and at times against bigger opponent.

With the age bracket pegged at 20 for the games, so many expected states to parade athletes between 18 and 20 but the opposite was the case at the tennis arena with so many kids, especially in the ladies, competing for honour.
For 10-year-old Karina Opuene of Bayelsa State, despite losing out in the second round of the ladies’ singles, she may not have felt disappointment having picked up valuable lessons that would enrich her experience from the campaign.

Opuene, a primary 6 pupil of Immaculate Ideas Academy, Yenagoa, was a bit nervous when approached for a media chat, exposing her naivity at this level.
Edo State tennis prodigy, Lorelay Holzendorff, exuded confidence as she smashed her way into the semi finals and looked poised to win.

Lorelay said her ambitions to toe the path of former tennis queen, Serena Williams to dominate the world stage for years.
Already through to the semifinal of the ladies’ singles where she will meet Etorro Bassey of Akwa-Ibom, Holzendorff S Peer, said she has been enjoying herself at the games.

“It has been fun and an experience for me as a player,” she said. “I have been able to make new friends, although this is not my first tournament especially in Nigeria, but I am taking part in the Niger Delta Games for the first time.”

Wisdom Chibuzor of Abia State, yesterday, played Rahman Ahmed of Ondo State for a chance to meet the winner of the second semifinal game involving Obinna Chinedu Abia State and Wisdom Effiong of Akwa-Ibom for a place in the final.
The ladies’ single semis is between Etorro Bassey (AKwa-Ibom) and Lorelay Hozendorff (Edo), while the second semis is between Suwa Nenrot (Edo) and Favour James (AKwa-Ibom).