Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey has lauded the performance of four promising young Tennis athletes from Akwa Ibom State, led by Etoro Bassey, whose performances in Tennis tournament have put the state in the national map of the tennis game.
The commendation came on Tuesday, June 30, when the Commissioner received the prodigies: Etoro Bassey, wisdom Effiong, Favour James, and God’s miracle Essien,who just returned with medals from a chain of national championship including ITF J30 Abuja, DAVNOTCH National Open Tennis Championship, and the CBN National Open Tennis Championship in Abuja.
Elder Bassey who was delighted at the visit, said having competed for World Junior ranking points in one of the series with counterparts from USA, India, China, Canada etc, the young stars have made the state proud in not just advancing to the level they have been to but equally returning with medals to amplify the records of the state in that direction.
While thanking God for seeing them through the tournament, the sports boss appreciated the state Governor, pastor Umo Eno for placing a premium on sports, culminating in the enabling atmosphere that leads to various dimensions of success in the sector referring to the as “ Harvest of Sports successes”
He, however, maintained that taking from the Governor’s sense of value ,the ministry will continue to do all it can to encourage athletes in promoting sports in the state.
The tournament at the CBN National Open Tennis Championship featured young seniors with Etoro Bassey claiming the Ladies Singles Championship in the main draws even as the pair of Etoro and Favour emerged 2nd finalists in the Ladies Doubles.
In the DAVNOTCH National Open Tennis Championship, Etoro Bassey and Favour James again, featured in the main draws of both Ladies Singles and Doubles, with Etoro making a more outstanding record to dismiss top players, including the current Nigerian No.1,in the finals, thereby proceeding to the national camp for the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup in Botswana.
With this development, Etoro Bassey broke the record as the first Akwa Ibom girl to win the CBN title in 47 years.