Joseph Imeh and Marylove Edwards on Saturday in Kano emerged male and female champions of the 2021 Dala Hard Court Tennis Tournament.

Imeh defeated Wilson Igbinovia 7/5, 6/3 to win N1million while Igbinovia got N500,000 prize for the second position.

In the women category, Edwards defeated Aanu Aiyegbusi 6/2, 6/2 to win N500,000 the first prize money while Aiyegbusi received N300,000 as runner-up.

Albert Bikom/Imeh defeated Babalola Abdulmumin/Shehu Lawal 6/3, 4/6, 11/9 to win N600,000 prize money in the men’s double finals.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the event, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Nasiru Gawuna, commended the organisers for such a big competition.

He called on governments at all levels and other well-to-do individuals to help with the development of tennis.

Also, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, commended the organisers for sustaining the competition in the past 34 years.

“We are indeed commending organisers of this tournament, under the able leadership of Alhaji Bashari Muhammad Gumel,” Mr Dare said.

The tournament was sponsored by First Bank, Fidelity Bank, Dangote Group, among others.

(NAN)