Nigerian ex-international and director of International Tennis Academy (ITA), Godwin Kienka has come out with an explanation behind the absence of three key players at this year’s junior championship in Lagos.
Sports247 reports that, according to Kienka, the three players will not feature at the 2026 CBN Junior Tennis Championship from Monday, March 23 to Saturday, March 28 because they have been promoted to the senior ranks.
Kienka pointed out that, one of the trio is Aina Goodnews, who won the girls’ U16 contest in 2025 and went on to reach the senior category’s quarter finals after defeating the top seed in straight sets.
He, however, disclosed that many other top junior players from various zones in the country and top tennis clubs across the federation have confirmed their participation in the competition, which is expected to stir up many new discoveries.
He assured that the competition will feature singles competitions in three age groups – U12s, U14s, U16s – for boys and girls, in a seamless transition from all levels of juniors to seniors and ultimately into professional ranks.
Kienka enthused, “The tournament has developed a very sound junior tennis foundation over the years. Some of the juniors are already causing major upsets in the senior tournaments.
“As a matter of fact, three of the top juniors, although still eligible, have been moved to the senior ranks. After due consultation with their coaches and sponsors, we moved them up to the seniors.”
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