By Sani Sule
Taraba State on Thursday launched the inaugural Dr. Agbu Kefas North-East Tennis Championship, bringing together young players from across the region in a tournament aimed at identifying emerging talent and promoting youth development through sport.
The competition, being held at the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo, is sponsored by Taraba State Secretary to the Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps Ngwii, who also serves as the North-East zonal representative of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF).
Organisers said the championship is designed to provide a competitive platform for young athletes while strengthening grassroots tennis development in the region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kataps said the initiative reflects Governor Agbu Kefas’ commitment to youth empowerment through sports.
“Taraba is blessed with talented young athletes whose potential can be harnessed through sustained investment, mentorship and regular competition,” he said.
Kataps described sport as a tool for promoting unity, creating opportunities for young people and helping them compete at national and international levels, adding that he would continue to support initiatives that strengthen tennis and other sporting activities in the state.
President of the Jalingo Tennis Club, retired Brigadier General Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa, said the championship would contribute to youth development and peace-building while helping to identify future tennis stars from the North-East.
He said organised sports offered young people a positive outlet that could help reduce idleness and social vices, particularly in a region facing security challenges.
Faransa commended Kataps for sponsoring the tournament and urged participants to compete with discipline, fairness and sportsmanship.
Chairman of the Taraba State Sports Development Commission, Coach Bulus Useni, described the event as a milestone for tennis development in the state, saying it would encourage more young people to take up the sport.
Lawmaker Nelson Cyprain Len, who represents Nguroje Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly, and Chairman of the Taraba State Youth Development Agency, Gara Nongha, said the championship would provide talented youths with opportunities to showcase their abilities.
Competition got underway with the under-17 boys’ singles, where Divine Denis of Adamawa State defeated Adamu Abba 6-4, 7-5 to advance to the next round.
The tournament continues with matches involving players from across Nigeria’s North-East region as organisers seek to build a stronger pipeline of young tennis talent.