The stage is set for a thrilling showdown in the men’s singles final of the tennis event at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as two of Nigeria’s top talents, Christopher Bulus (Ogun State) and David Ekpeyong (Bayelsa State), prepare to battle for gold at the MKO Abiola Stadium Tennis Centre.

Bulus earned his place in the final with a dominant 6-3, 6-3 win over Daniel Adeleye of Ekiti State in a high-quality semifinal clash. Ekpeyong, despite struggling with injury, showed resilience and grit to edge past Canice Abua of Rivers State 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

Speaking ahead of the final, Bulus said, “I’m playing for the home state, the number one state, and with the fans behind me, I’m going all out for the gold.”

Ekpeyong acknowledged the challenge ahead but remained confident. “The final will be fun, entertaining, and intense. Christopher is a great player, based in the U.S., and I looked up to him as a junior. But I’ll give it my all.”

In the women’s singles final, Delta State’s Barakat Quadri will face off against Ogun State’s Yakubu Ohunene. Barakat advanced in style, sweeping past Omotola Blessing of Edo State 6-1, 6-4 in straight sets, while Ohunene battled through a tough three-set semifinal against Ekiti’s Ogunjobi Success, winning 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

Top dignitaries, including the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, and the President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Engineer Ifedayo Akindoju, are expected to attend the finals, which promise top-tier tennis action and a memorable end to the festival’s tennis event.