NCC Tennis League: Team Ogun, Civil Defence in flying start

Team Ogun and the Civil Defence team got off to a flying start at the maiden Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) Tennis League with a 7-0 whitewash of their opponents in the first set of round robin matches concluded in four centres over the weekend. Team Kalotari and Team Tombim also pulled off away victories.

Playing at the Abeokuta Centre on Saturday, Team Ogun’s Joseph Imeh defeated Umoru Balami 6-1, 6-2 in the first game of the men’s singles, while Monday Igbinovia beat Martins Agbamu 7-6 (1) 6-2.

In the ladies singles, Ronke Akingbade defeated Angel Mcleod 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3), just as the pair of Joseph Imeh/Monday Igbinovia beat Umoru Balami/Michael Michael 6-1, 7-6 (2).

On Sunday at the same venue, Monday Igbinovia beat Michael Michael 7-6 (4), 6-2 in the reverse singles, with Joseph Imeh dispatching Chris Itodo 6-2, 6-1.

The mixed doubles battle between Monday Igbinovia/Ronke Akingbade and Michael Michael/Marylove Edwards ended with the former triumphing 7-5, 6-3 to end the first weekend of the competition 7-0 in Team Ogun’s favour.

Playing at the Onitsha Sports Club, the Civil Defence team comprising Abdulmumini Babalola, Shehu Lawal and Christy Agugbom beat Team Anambra 7-0.

Babalola began the whitewash with a 6-3, 6-1 defeat of Chimezie Onyejiaka, while Nonso Madueke beat Ikechukwu Iloputa 6-1, 6-1.

In the ladies singles, Christie Agugbom beat Lovett Donatus 7-5, 6-0, just as the pair of Babalola and Lawal beat Nnaemeka Achusim and Augustine Nwokedi 6-1, 7-5 in the men’s doubles.

In the reverse singles, Nonso Madueke lost to Augustine Nwokedi 1-6, 6-1, 10-6 (tiebreak decider), while Babalola beat Tochukwu Ezeh 6-3, 6-2, just as Christie Agugbom combined with Shehu Lawal to win the mixed doubles 4-6, 6-3, 10-5 (tiebreak decider).

At the Abuja National Stadium, Team Kalotari defeated Team FCT 5-2, while in Asaba, Team Tombim beat Team Delta 5-2.
The competition will resume in the centres across the country next month.