Budding tennis star, Raphael Dowuona beat Hanif Boateng 6-1 6-0 to win the prestigious U-16 event at the 2022 G.T. Oddoye Memorial Open Junior Championship at the Accra Lawn Tennis Club (ALTC).
Dowuona, from the Stadium Tennis Club (STC) proved a handful for his club mate in their December 23 face-off to earn the accolade as the new champion of the most competitive category at the Championship.
In the female division of the U-16 event, Sisu Tomegah from STC was declared winner after she triumphed over Tracy Ampah from Goldfields Tennis Club 7-5 6-0.
Dubbed the ‘6th GT Oddoye Memorial’, the five-day event from December 19-23 witnessed young tennis stars under the ages of 10,12,14 and 16 in the boys and girls division showcase exhilarating displays in the singles and doubles games on the Clay Court of the ALTC that captivated patrons.
Other results in the boys singles finals were Kingsley Danso overpowering Donatus Nyaaba 7-5 7-6(2) in the U-14 event. Essien Frimpong lost 6-1 6-3 to Jeff Frimpong 6-1 6-3 in the U-12 event with Joseph Tetteh defeating Ethan Dzidzonu 6-4 0-6 6-3 in the U-10 event.
In the female U-14 and U-12 categories, Lisel Ampah defeated Angel Bagerbaseh 6-2 6-2 whilst Phyllis Kotey accounted for Georgette Nortey 6-2 6-1. In the U-10 event, Nyhira Antwi overcame Ewurakua Mensah 6-0 6-1.
Winners were awarded cash prizes, medals and a souvenirs.
Speaking with the media after the event, the tournament coordinator, Peter Annan expressed elation about the high playing standards and temperament exhibited by the players, suggesting that it was a sign of the steady growth.
Mr Annan advised the players to remain disciplined, commit to academic excellence and be teachable at all times as these attributes will set them on the path to become professional tennis players.
The annual championship under the auspices of the Ghana Tennis Federation (GTF) and the ALTC with support from Grand Master Tennis Events and the Oddoye family at Osu was introduced in 2016 to honour the late Gottfried Tawia Oddoye, a former Chairman of the GTF.
It however harbours the greater vision of unearthing the next generation of Ghanaian tennis talents at the juvenile level and nurturing their skills, while challenging them to excel academically.
BY NANA BENTSI ODURO
