23.2.2026
All around the courts surrounded by the filled-up spectator terraces, tennis enthusiasts, state athletes and neutrals boisterously cheered and clapped as the young players applied themselves to the quest for medals.
Singles, doubles and mixed doubles were all going on and all nine states want podium finish for their men and women representatives.
The renovated tennis arena at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, has had its shine restored and most of the young players could hardly hide their excitement at playing on such standard courts.
“That is the essence of the Niger Delta Games, providing a platform for young ones from the villages and towns of Niger Delta region to be exposed to facilities that can accelerate their talent development”, Itiako Ikpokpo, Chairman of the Main Organising Committee of the games said with a look of satisfaction.
What really caught the attention of the spectators to the venue was the number of young kids fighting hard on the court and at times against bigger opponent.
With the age bracket pegged at 20 for the games, so many expected states to parade athletes between 18 and 20 but the opposite was the case at the tennis arena with so many kids, especially in the ladies, competing for honour.
For 10-year-old Karina Opuene of Bayelsa State, despite losing out in the second round of the ladies’ singles, she may not have felt disappointment having picked up valuable lessons that would enrich her experience from the campaign.
Opuene, a primary 6 pupil of Immaculate Ideas Academy, Yenagoa in Bayelsa State, was a bit nervous when approached for a media chat, exposing her naivety at this level.
But all eyes will be on Edo State tennis prodigy, Lorelay Holzendorff, who despite her young age battled Nigeria number 1 female tennis player Oyinlomo Quadri at the National Sports Festival Gateway Games 2025 semi-final. Holdendorff at the Niger Delta Games is favourite to win the gold, after she smashed her way into the semifinals.
Lorelay didn’t hesitate to express her ambitions to toe the path of former tennis queen, Serena Williams to dominate the world stage for years.
“It has been fun and an experience for me as a player.” she said.
“I have been able to make new friends, although this is not my first tournament especially in Nigeria, but I am taking part in the Niger Delta Games for the first time.
“It has taken my hard work to get to where I am now and I am looking forward to my opponent and get to the final.
“I see playing tennis as a path to a good career for me and my target is to make a name for myself and to play at European level and not just in Nigeria”, the pleasant looking young girl narrated.
For the ladies, single semis would be contested between Etorro Bassey (AKwa-Ibom) and Lorelay Hozendorff (Edo) with the second semis happening Suwa Nenrot (Edo) and Favour James (AKwa-Ibom).