South Africa based former national team goal keeper and Supersports soccer presenter, Idah Peterside, Thursday in Port Harcourt had a motivation session with the junior tennis players competing in the International Energy Insurance Port Harcourt Junior Open Tennis Championship.
Mr Peterside on a short vacation to Rivers State his home state, spoke to 115 boys and girls on the three Ds of sporting success. The three Ds according to the renowned commentator are desire, determination and discipline.
According to Godwin Kienka the director of the International Tennis Academy, the organizers of the junior tennis circuit, “the result of his interaction with the kids was immediate as the players went to the court more determined. They have also became better behaved as the point about punctuality and preparing right being ingredients of a focused and disciplined sports person sat well with the kids
.[photo]peterside[/photo]
In the meantime Onyeka Mbanu, 14, of the Kaduna-based Co- Foundation is fast emerging as the star of the tournament as he has played his way into the semifinals of the 14s and 16s upsetting David Ayeni, the number two seed in the boys 16 and Andrew Idoko the 8th seed along the way.
Another star performance is also coming from another Co-Foundation player Kabiru Abdulmalik. The 14 year old is in the semis of the boys 14 where he is the top seed and is battling team mate Ambrose Michael, the number one seed in the boys 16 for a place in the semifinals.
The winner of the girls’ 16 event is expected to challenge a senior national player in the finals slated for 3 pm on Saturday.
Published: 2007-12-21 08:39:58
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