The 2025 edition of the Chief Kingsley Uduh South East Junior Tennis Classics came to a thrilling conclusion at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, with Chimaobi Isaac Onuegbu and Lucky Chinasa Favour clinching the top honours in the Under-16 categories.
Onuegbu, representing Owerri City Secondary School, displayed resilience and superior shot-making to dispatch Chibueze Nweke of Emmanuel College 6-4, 6-3 in straight sets to lift the Under-16 Boys title. He pocketed the N40,000 top prize, while Nweke settled for N30,000.
In the Girls’ final, Favour Lucky proved too strong for Adachukwu Otuka, cruising to a 4-2, 4-1 victory to claim the N40,000 winner’s purse. Otuka went home with N30,000 as runner-up.
The Under-14 Boys category saw another Onuegbu—Chinaecherem David—dominate Ezichi Ewuzie of Anambra State with a 6-4, 6-2 win. Chinaecherem walked away with N30,000, while Ewuzie received N15,000.
In the Under-14 Girls final, Ebube Otuka dazzled with a 5-3, 4-0 win over Ginikachi Uwaleke, securing the N30,000 prize. Uwaleke earned N15,000 for her efforts.
In the Under-12 Boys final, Netochukwu Obed from Enugu State triumphed over Kosisochukwu MacDonald 4-1, 5-3, clinching the N30,000 prize money.
Consolation Awards: Semi-finalists in the Under-16 Boys and Girls categories—Nehemiah Ejiofor, Kelechi Nwosu, Ngozi Nwosu, and Divine Ndem—were awarded N10,000 each.
Other semi-finalists in the Under-14 and Under-12 categories, including Samuel Ndem, Makuo Obed, Benjamin Dirichukwu, Chibueze Ezeah, Amarachi Uwaleke, and Amarachi Julius, received N7,500 each.
All 20 athletes eliminated in the preliminary stages were not left out—they each received N3,000 in appreciation of their participation.
Organizers Speak: Speaking at the closing ceremony, Barr. Ugochukwu Uzodike, who represented the sponsor, Chief Kingsley Uduh, commended the initiative, noting that the goal is to spotlight and nurture raw tennis talent across the South East. “Chief Uduh’s support is a bold investment in the region’s sports future,” he remarked.
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Chief Charles Duruaku, praised the standard of competition and reaffirmed the commitment to talent development. “This tournament is a stepping stone for future champions,” he said.
The tournament featured 40 junior players, with a total prize pool of N400,000 fully funded by the sponsor.
Dignitaries in Attendance: The grand finale was graced by Directors of Sports from the five South Eastern states:
Emeka Obidinma (Anambra)
Ephraim Ochonma (Enugu)
Lady Justina Akupulo (Imo)
Emmanuel Utobo (Ebonyi)
Comrade George Obioma (Abia)
The closing ceremony was marked by presentation of trophies, medals, and cash prizes to the delighted winners and participants, bringing the curtain down on a tournament that promises to redefine junior tennis in the South East.
