Defending champion and title favourite, ALEX ADEWALE of Nigeria, will begin his quest for another great outing as he confronts ABDURASAK NUHU of Ghana in the first round of the 2ND PUMA ENGINEERING WHEELCHAIR TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP taking place in Abuja.
With Benin, Togo, Cameroon and Zambia all failed to beat the Tuesday extended registration deadline date, the coast seems clear for Nigerians to smash their way to podium-finish in the $3,000 prize-money event listed as an ITF World Series.
ADEWALE, who is keen to gather as many points as possible in the various ITF tournaments scheduled to hold between now and May in order to clinch a place in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, expressed confidence of progressing against his fellow West African opponent, although he was quick to add he knew nothing about him.
“He (Nuhu) should be one of their top players and I know he has the same mission as I; to do well and enhance his chance to play in the next Paralympic Games, so I won’t underrate him” he said after Tuesday’s draws held at the Nigerian capital.
Nigeria’s number two player, WASIU YUSUF, who featured in Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Paralympics, was drawn against compatriot, IDOWU AJANI.
For defending women’s singles winner, KAFAYAT OMISORE, her showing last year was enough to see her drawn bye to the next round same as KEMI OLUWASEGUN,who partnered OMISORE to clinch the women’s doubles title last year.
TOSIN DAWODU, a former top ranked Nigerian will confront Asiya Sururu of Kenya while no less than six other Nigerians are billed to feature in Wednesday’s matches at the National Tennis Centre, Abuja.
Nigeria’s coach, FRANK TARMENA expressed confidence of another title sweep by the hosts. He however lamented the absence of the other countries which he pointed their participation would afford Nigerians the level of their game.
