8th January, 2013
One of Nigeria’s top wheelchair tennis players, Alex Adewale has opted out of the forthcoming African Championship billed to hold in Kenya from 14 January.
P.M.NEWS gathered that Adewale chose not to train with other players and no reason was given for his action.
Confirming the situation, the player himself said that he opted out because he felt he needed a break from tennis for sometime, as there hasn’t been any real change since he started playing the game about eight years ago.
“I personally decided not to train with the players because I feel the need to do something different this time around. I’ve been playing the game for eight years and there is no change, hence my decision not to train with Team Nigeria”, he said.
Alex, who represented Nigeria alongside compatriot, Wasiu Yusuf at the London 2012 Paralympics said he would be back in the nearest future.
He said: “Nobody brought me into tennis and I don’t think I need anybody’s advice or permission before opting out. However, I hope to get back very soon, maybe when things stabilise”.
It was gathered from Team Nigeria’s training ground that veteran player, Jude Uwaze, has been called to train with the other players as they prepare for the African championship, which will also serve as African qualifying series for the World Championship. The players at the training camp include female star, Remilekun Basanya and Wasiu Yusuf.
—Damilare Okunola