**Director of Sports, Suoware, Ama-ebi, Commend Sponsor for the Initiative**
A three day under twelve and fourteen tennis championship has climaxed in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The PAMO Tennis U:12 and U:14 championship is aimed at developing talented young stars that would represent Bayelsa and the nation in the future.
The PAMO Tennis U:12 and U:14 tennis championships have about forty young tennis players across the State who intend to earn a living through sports apart from education.
Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council Sir Braveman Wodi in a remark, appreciated the spornors of the championship for the initiative, stating that with the vision , the State in the next five years would get to the threshold of having a podium finish in the National Sports Festival.
He remarked that he was pleased with the turnout of kids for the championship, saying that the turnout reflects the future of tennis in the state describing the initiative as laudable.
According to him, the program compliments the effort of former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who owns a tennis court at his resident in Yenagoa, pointing out that the catch them young exercise would soon get the needed results.
The sponsor of the tournament Mr. Alfred Koripamo, noted that he was satisfied with the avalanche of talents witnessed in the program, pointing out that tennis has come to stay in the state.
Mr. Koripamo hinted that the championship would go beyond this edition and as well as enduring that more kids develop interest in tennis, maintaining that his goal is to see national tennis competition in Bayelsa.
Also, Rev Anthony Suoware, Chairman Yenagoa Tennis club, asserted that the essence of the championship was to empower the kids with the rudiment of the sports, noting that tennis is one sports that exposes kids.
While appreciating the organizers of the tournament, Rev Suoware, said the Yenagoa tennis club was working round the clock to see that kids in the State compete favourably with their peers within and the State, saying that the gesture has further portrayed Bayelsa as the home of sports.
Secretary of the Tennis Association, Mr.Opoikumo Jerry, commended the parents and kids for their commitment towards the championship, noting that the kids have been positively impacted.
Chairman Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association Mr.Ama-ebi Ebikpolade Stow, noted that he was elated with the level of participation from the kids and fans.
Mr.Ebikpolade Stow who adopted one of the kids, opined that the Table Tennis Association and the Tennis Association would continue to collaborate in order to positively engage the youths in the state.
Ayebaifie Joshua won the U:12 girls, Alaere Benjamin came second while Excellency Ogoniru triumphed in the U:12 boys category, Perewari Benjamin and Ayo Abourfatatai settled for second and third position.
Karina Opuene was crowned champion in the U:14 girls, Abigail Dominic finished second as Peculiar Williams and Deborah Felix claimed third place.
In the U:14 boys category saw Blessed Yimonovie emerging champions, Goodluck Sakwe, Israel Abiah and Michael Whoknows came second to third position.
