Wheelchair Tennis: Nigeria begin title defence at Kenya tourney

Category: Sports Published on Thursday, 17 January 2013 06:00 Written by Olutayo Samson, Lagos

Nigeria’s Wheelchair Tennis team will start their defence at the Africa Wheelchair Championship in Nairobi, Kenya today.

Nigeria’s quartet of Wasiu Yusuf, Jude Uwaize, Remi Basanya and Foluke Shittu left Lagos yesterday with the promise to secure the World Cup ticket at the four day championship, which holds from 17-21 January.

Two-time Paralympian, Yusuf ranked No.200 in the world, is the top seed for the men’s singles having also spearheaded Nigeria’s title-winning outing at the East African country in 2012, while Basanya and Shittu will be making their debut on the international stage.

Coach of the team, Frank Tarmena, said though they would face a stiff opposition from the South Africans who are also a force to reckon with in the African wheelchair tennis, he expects a good outing from his team.

“The experience of our players as well as their exposure will give us the edge especially after our last outing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. We have prepared the players very well for the tournament in the last 12 days, so I expect nothing than a good outing,” Tarmena said.

Twelve countries will feature in the tournament with the winners getting the slot to represent Africa in the 2013 World Team Cup in Italy.