Guardian

DEFENDING champion, Lucky Edovie retained his FHA Tennis Championship singles title after beating last year losing finalist Charles Didimakon 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 to win his fifth crown.

Backed by spectators, which included the President Okey Agu, the sponsor and the Grand Patron of the club, Vincent Obianodo and Vice President, Models Ezeamama, both players produced scintillating performance, powerful serves, tremendous backhand and great strokes to the delight of thousands at the club house.

Edovie drew the first blood by winning the first set after 35 minutes but Didimakon powered back to win the second set 6 – 4 despite needing 10 minutes for medical attention.

The third set was, however, a one-sided affair with Edovie using his wealth of experience to dismantle Didimakon 6 – 1 to take home his third straight and fifth title overall.

The singles winner also partnered Evans Madu to beat the pair of Amobi Udoye and Evans Nwachukwu to win the double final 6 – 3, 6 –0.

The veterans’ title went to Caesar Osubu, who celebrated his sixth title in the category. Osubu has also won the men’s single title six times a record he jointly hold with Emmanuel Dike.

In the table tennis event, Peter Okechukwu thrashed Ralph Odunukwe 21 – 7, 21 – 13, while Ezenwafor Emmanuel retained his draught Grand master title. The Grand finale also witnessed the induction of two new members, Architect Ernest Ewuzie and Steve Okafor.

Meanwhile the club will begin its swimming competition for members in 2014. President of the club, Agu, who revealed this, also confirmed that plans are on the way to construct a pavilion that can seat 2,000 spectators.