Accra, Aug 16, GNA - Ghana sold out an impressive display to emerge the overall champions of an 11-country International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Confederation of Africa Tennis (CAT) Circuit 13 and under tournament that ended at Cotonou, Benin on Sunday.
A quartet represented the nation in the three-phase tourney and excelled by hauling three gold, four silver and six bronze medals to successfully defend the competition they won last year.
The team made up of Linda Parker, Anita Cudjoe, Kwabena Bamfo and Japhath Bagerbaseh won three gold medals in the girls and boys doubles and singles to pip Nigeria and host Benin to second and third places respectively.
The four, according to information gathered by the GNA Sports dominated their opponents in the three-week championship with amazing talent and potential and have thus presented an array of hope for the future of the sport in the country.
For their achievement, members of the quartet are to enjoy a year scholarship in their various schools to be born by the Ministry of Education and Sports.
Dr. Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, Director of Sports at the Ministry said his outfit was proud of the team's achievement and deemed it imperative to provide them with the necessary support capable of nurturing them for future assignments.
He said the ministry's desire to support the quartet's education was the commencement of greater things to come in its quest to promote the sport to an appreciable standard. He tasked the Ghana Tennis Association (GTA) to map up a comprehensive programme aimed at exposing the players to greater challenges.
Dr. Owusu Ansah urged the players to stay focused whilst underscoring the relevance of dedication, determination and commitment in their daily activities. Mr Jeff Abeasi, Chairman of the Association said the GTA intends maintaining
Bamfo and Bagerbaseh together whilst grooming others for the future Davis Cup team.
He said the prospects of Parker and Cudjoe also gives credence to the need to groom them towards the country's maiden Fed Cup team.
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