A player of Team Lagos, Destiny Okinnaye has created a record in tennis event of the 5th National Youth Games (NYG) in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Okinnaye won two gold medals in the girls’ singles and girls’ doubles. She made a record as the only player who won two gold medals in NYG tennis this year.
Okinnaye won the doubles gold with Faith Ameh.
There are six gold medals at stake and Lagos picked two, leaving the other four for 24 remaining states to fight for. Ekiti, FCT Abuja and Kogi won one gold each. Okinnaye’s feat propelled Lagos to top the overall medal table in the tennis event.
77 players from 25 states (boys 25, girls 20) participated in the tennis event this year.
To Okinnaye, winning two gold for Lagos was a moment of joy for her.
“I was excited about winning gold medals in the singles and doubles. I am the only player who won two gold medals in tennis. I had before the competition told myself that I was going to Ilorin to pick gold in my events and thank goodness I made it.
Lagos state tennis coach, Oluwaseyi Stephen applauded the performance of both the boys and the girls, adding that they all did excellently well.
“Both Okinnaye and Ameh were winners at the U-15 tournament organised by the Board of Lagos State Tennis Association under our able chairman, Mr Tokunbo Jaiye-Agoro. While Okinnaye won the tournament, Ahmed was her runner up. The tournament was a good preparatory platform for our players.
” I can say that with the programmes the association has for the game in Lagos, our players would be a force to reckon within the country. They need regular clinics and tournaments to sharpen their skills,” Coach Stephen said.
