Next-Gen Masters: Musa, Omolayo emerge winners

Musa Mohammed lifts his trophy

By Dotun Omisakin

Musa Mohammed from Abuja and Omolayo Bamidele from Ekiti state have emerged as the winners of the second edition of the Zenith bank Next Generation Masters championship in both the boy's and girl's category respectively.

Before the serve off of the finals  between number one seeded Mohammed and unseeded Jebutu Emmanuel from Lagos state at the National stadium in Lagos, the match was delayed for 4 hours due to the rain.

During the match, it was not a stroll in park for Mohammed as debutant Emmanuel gave him a run for his money. But it ended 2-6, 6-4 and 10-6 in a super tie break in favour of the Abuja representative to lift the trophy.

Also in the female category, Omolayo Bamidele from Ekiti state who finished in the third round in the last edition easily won Favour Moses from Kaduna state 6-0, 6-4 in a straight win.

Group picture of the participants, organisers and sponsor

Speaking after the match, the Ekiti state representative said she had determined to cause an upset before she came for the competition.

"I am very happy to have this tournament because last year, I lost in the third round and I had to go back and hard work and coming back this year, I won it. It is a great achievement for me." She said.

Also, the organiser of the event, Mr. Godwin Kienka dropped the hint that participants of the just concluded Next Generation Masters have chance to win N500,000 if they emerge winner in the up coming CBN Open.

"The next thing is for the players to repeat the performances at the Senior level. We are hoping that if they play a little better that what they play in this tournament, they have a little chance to win the senior event.

"We as sposnsor and organiser of this event put a bonus of N500,000 to any one of the next generation master who wins the boys or girls CBN Open championship." He said.