Mohammed hopeful of good outing as Nigerian juniors leave for African Masters in Morocco

The national junior tennis team coach, Ubale
Mohammed, on Sunday said he was hopeful of a
very good performance by the Nigeria at the
African Junior Masters in Morocco.
Mohammed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
in Kaduna that the Nigerian duo of Michael Osewa
and Barakat Quadri were in top shape and were
ready to distinguish themselves.
NAN reports that Mohammed and the players were
scheduled to leave Abuja on Sunday for Casablanca
in Morocco for the Masters for 14 and Under.
The event is for the top eight players in that
category, after Osewa was ranked eighth in the
male category and Quadri sixth in the female
category.
“They both qualified based on performances in
tournaments sanctioned by the International Tennis
Federation (ITF), which were played during the
year.
“Based on this, I expect a good performance from
both players, especially as they are both number
one in West and Central Africa and are by this
among the best on the continent,’’ Mohammed
said.
The coach who is leading the team to the event
said both players were well primed to put in good
performances at the event based on their current
form.
“Osewa placed fourth at the recent African Junior
Championship in Tunisia, and Quadri was also fifth
in her category.
“So, they are experienced and exposed enough to
do well, especially as this is not their first outing,’’
he said.
Mohammed said he was particularly hopeful that
Quadri, who is based in Morocco on a one-year ITF
full scholarship, would fully utilise
the opportunity of the event.
“She can use this event to boost her profile, and as
long as she plays well she can be there until she
finishes her junior career.
“It is also an opportunity for Osewa too, because
they can both utilise this advantage to bolster their
career in the game and gain many other
opportunities.
“For example, the first three players at the event
will get ITF grants to be able to play in their 18
and Under tournaments in their region.
“There are also many other scholarship
opportunities that can be available to them as long
as they perform well in Morocco,’’ he said.
The coach recalled that the last time Nigerian
players were at the 14 and Under Masters was in
2012, when Sarah Adegoke, Emmanuel Idoko and
Joseph Imeh qualified.
“Adegoke and Idoko were first in their respective
categories, while Imeh was third in the male
category.
“I am now hopeful that Osewa and Quadri will
emulate these ones with good and, in fact, better
performances,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the competition holds from
Tuesday to Sunday, Nov. 8.