NSC Commends Outstanding Performances at ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors J30 Abuja Championship
Oru Leonard
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has hailed the successful conclusion of the 2026 ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors J30 Abuja Championship, describing the tournament as another milestone in Nigeria’s growing status as a destination for international junior tennis and talent development.
The championship, held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, attracted promising young players from Nigeria and several countries, including China, India, the United States, France, Sri Lanka, Cameroon and Liberia.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, represented by his Special Adviser on Administration, Legal and Strategy, Musa Amadu, praised the high standard of competition and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to grassroots sports development and creating pathways for young athletes to excel internationally.
The Commission particularly commended Nigeria’s Success Ogunjobi for winning the girls’ singles title and completing a clean sweep of both legs of the J30 Abuja tournament. Ogunjobi defeated compatriot Khadijat Eleojo Mohammed 6-2, 6-1 in the final to secure her second consecutive title in Abuja.
In the boys’ singles category, China’s Hengzhi Cui emerged champion after defeating Nigeria’s Gbolahan Olawale 6-1, 7-6(8) in a closely contested final.
The NSC also acknowledged outstanding performances in the doubles events. In the boys’ doubles final, the Chinese pair of Jinxuan Cheng and Hengzhi Cui rallied from a set down to defeat Nigeria’s Elisha Ishaku Kwange and Gbolahan Olawale 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 to claim the title.
In the girls’ doubles event, top seeds Khadijat Mohammed and France’s Jessica Togbe defeated Success Ogunjobi and Sri Lanka’s V.D. Rashmi Oma Wijewardana 6-3, 7-6(5) to emerge champions.
Dikko noted that ITF junior tournaments provide invaluable opportunities for young athletes to earn international ranking points, gain exposure and acquire the competitive experience needed to progress to higher levels of the sport. He stressed the importance of hosting more ITF-sanctioned tournaments in Nigeria to reduce the financial burden of international travel on local players while helping them build their rankings.
“Competitions like the J30 Abuja Championship are critical to the development of our young athletes. They provide access to ranking opportunities, expose players to international standards and create pathways to professional careers,” he said.
The NSC Chairman also highlighted the recent achievements of Nigerian junior tennis star Seun Ogunsakin, who reached the final qualifying round of the Junior French Open and has registered for the Junior Wimbledon qualifying event, describing his progress as evidence that Nigerian athletes can compete successfully on the global stage when given the right support.
The Commission expressed appreciation to the International Tennis Federation, the Nigeria Tennis Federation, tournament organisers, officials, coaches, parents and sponsors, particularly NASCO Foods, for their contributions to the successful hosting of the championship.
Reaffirming the Commission’s broader vision for sports development, Dikko said the NSC would continue to prioritise grassroots talent identification, athlete development, strategic partnerships and the expansion of competitive opportunities across all sports, expressing confidence in the continued growth of Nigerian tennis.
