Adesuwa Osabuohien and Michael Emmanuel have emerged winners of the women and men singles categories of the 46th edition of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Open Tennis Championship, held at the package B of the National Stadium Tennis Centre, Abuja.
In the men’s singles final that lasted over three hours, Emmanuel overpowered unseeded Ikenna Okonkwo in a thrilling 7-6, 3-6, 6-2.
The interesting game saw both players showcasing resilience and tactical brilliance.
In the women’s category, Adesuwa Osabuohien came from behind to defeat Emmanuel Essien 2-1 in a rain-interrupted final.
After the rain, Osabuohien rallied to win the game 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 and claimed the coveted title.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Ifeadayo Akindoju, applauded CBN for its steadfast commitment to the development of tennis in Nigeria over the past decades.
Also speaking, CBN governor Mr. Olayemi Cardoso whose address was delivered by the apex bank’s deputy governor corporate department, represented by acting director corporate communications Hakama Sidi-Ali said:
“For over four decades the CBN has remained a proud sponsor and firm believer in the power of sports, particularly tennis, to shape lives, discover talents, and build national unity. Through this championship, we have seen young men and women rise from obscurity to become national and international champions.
This enduring legacy is one we cherish deeply. In furtherance of our vision, the CBN Junior Tennis Tournament was launched in 2006 to serve as a nursery for grooming young talents who would graduate to this prestigious Senior Open. I am pleased to note that some of today’s senior finalists were once champions on that junior stage a true testament to the value of continuity and investment in youth.
Beyond the courts, the CBN remains passionate about the holistic development of Nigerian youth. We recognize sports as a powerful platform not just for entertainment, but for empowerment, engagement, and national integration.
This belief drives our numerous youth-focused initiatives, such as:
Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP) MSME Development Fund (MSMEDF) Agri-Business/SME Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS), Creative Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI), Tertiary Institutions’ Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES), and others aimed at nurturing innovation, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance among our youth.”
