The 2025 edition of the annual Shell/NNPC Tennis Tournament officially kicked off at the Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos on Thursday, bringing together over 80 players competing in various categories for top honors.
Originally scheduled to begin earlier in the week, the tournament experienced a brief delay due to heavy rainfall in the area. Despite the weather setback, organizers successfully commenced the competition on May 1, with participants and tennis enthusiasts turning out in impressive numbers.
The tournament, organized through a collaboration between Shell Nigeria and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), features a broad range of categories including Men’s Singles (A and B divisions), Ladies’ Singles, Veterans’ Singles, Super Veterans’ Singles, and a Team event.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Tennis Section Captain of Ikoyi Club, Mr. Ehiz Uwague, expressed excitement about the commencement of the tournament, describing it as a significant platform for both competitive play and camaraderie among club members. He commended the sponsors, Shell and NNPC, for their continued commitment to promoting sports and healthy living.
The opening matches lived up to expectations with thrilling encounters across the board. In one of the day’s standout performances, Stephen Ezeagu rallied from a set down to defeat Sivashankkar Krishnamurt 2/6, 6/4, 10/8. Other notable results included Bamidele Adeoye overcoming Oluwole Fajobi 6/3, 7/5, and Ademola Adesile securing a dominant 6/0, 6/0 win over Olusola Alexander.
This year’s competition, which is expected to run until May 10, not only promotes sportsmanship but also serves as a platform for discovering and nurturing tennis talents within Nigeria’s elite tennis circles. The sponsors reiterated their long-standing support for the development of tennis and grassroots sports in Nigeria.
As the matches progress daily, anticipation continues to build toward the grand finale, where finalists will battle for prestigious titles and trophies. The Shell/NNPC Tennis Tournament remains one of the most anticipated events on Nigeria’s private club tennis calendar, reinforcing the role of corporate partnerships in advancing sports development in the country.
