The 5th edition of the SNEPCo Futures Tennis Championship came to a fitting close on Saturday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, with players first competing in the semifinals, which was rescheduled due to Friday’s downpour, and then the final matches.

In the Boys 12 and Under category, Mohammed Idris produced a spirited performance to come back from a set down to beat Seun Ogunsakin 7-10, 10-6, 12-10 and clinch the title. It was sweet revenge for Idris who had lost to Ogunsakin in the final of the Chevron Junior Championship in March.

Mohammed Idris strikes a pose with his trophy and prize.

Ogunsakin, however, was honoured with the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player (male) award for his impressive displays all week. The Most Outstanding Players were selected after the semifinals.

Seun Ogunsakin in a pose with his runner-up trophy, MOP award and prize.

In the Girls Under-12 category, Faith Adeusi successfully defended her title, following a 10-6, 10-7 victory over Favour Amaechi. Adeusi had beaten Amaechi in the final of this event last year, and proved too much yet again for her compatriot. However, given her great performances all through the tournament, Favour Amaechi was honoured with the Most Outstanding Player award in the female category.

Faith Adeusi receives her winner’s trophy and prize.

In the Boys 14 and Under category, the semifinal matches, which were suspended due to rain on Friday, were first played, with Isaac Danjuma beating Phillip Pyagbara 8-10, 10-7, 12-10 to set up the final clash with Mubarak Ganiyu, who edged Arwal Garba 10-7, 10-7. Ganiyu would go on to beat Isaac Danjuma in a closely-contested final match, winning 10-8, 8-11, 10-6 to lift the title.

Mubarak Ganiyu receives the winner’s trophy and prize.

In the Girls 14 and Under category, Schola Otu, having advanced to the final, following a 10-1, 10-5 victory over Simisola Okajare, locked horns with defending champion, Esther Oni, who also advanced with a 10-6, 10-7 win over Imole Afolabi. Oni would prevail over Otu after three sets, winning 11-9, 4-10, 11-9 to clinch her second consecutive title at the event.

Esther Oni receives the winner’s trophy and prize.

Elsewhere, Suleiman Ibrahim secured his first 16 & Under title after pulling off an epic comeback to beat David Dawariye 4-10, 10-5, 10-8. Before then, both youngsters took to court in the semis – Ibrahim beating Daniel Adeleye 10-7, 10-6, and Dawariye making light work of Ali Abubakar 10-2, 10-3.

Dawariye rode that momentum into the final and took the first set with minimum fuss, but Ibrahim fought back to draw level in the second set. Dawariye, a beaten finalist last year, would open a 5-0 lead in the final set and then, squander it thereafter, as Ibrahim stepped back in to level matters and eventually win the match and clinch the title.