The maiden edition of the Abiriw Guantuahene Super 8 Tennis Tournament reached an electrifying climax as Thomas Ohene Effah (Octopus) lifted the coveted prize after 6 days of exhilarating tennis on the clay court.
Octopus defeated his opponent, Andrews Adu Appiah (Akaak), in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, in a little over an hour to win the tournament in front of a packed crowd at the Ghana Lawn Tennis Club in Accra on Friday night.
The tournament, which featured eight of the best semi-professional tennis athletes, produced spectacular moments from 20 to 25 September, serving tennis enthusiasts refreshing games throughout the competition.
The pulsating finale was attended by several top dignitaries, including the founder of the competition, Nana Kwabena Owusu (Guantuahene of Abiriw), the Spanish ambassador to Ghana, Mrs. Isabel Ibarra Serrano de Haro, Mr. Christopher Kwesi Appiah, Head of Project, CAG at the French Embassy, Mr. Peter Annan, former Ghana number one, Benkumhene of Abiriw, Nana Asiedu Oppong Antwi I, and many others.
An exhibition game that served as a curtain-raiser featured two of the finest female athletes in the game, Boss Chic and Emily, who both engaged in an entertaining game to climax the occasion.
A dominant display saw eventual winner Octopus break his opponent twice in the final four games to claim the first set in just 37 minutes.
The second set was more resurgent from Akaak, who battled his way to a 5-3 lead after converting a couple of break points, but Octopus turned the game on its head once again, winning the final four games of the set to secure a victory in straight sets on the night.
Speaking after the game, the runner-up acknowledged the fierce competition at the tournament and warned his opponents that he would bounce back stronger in the next edition.
“It was a daring challenge, but let me congratulate the winner. Today is his time to celebrate, but the rest of them should watch out for me in the next edition, he remarked.
An elated Octopus thanked Nana Guantuahene of Abiriw for the profound initiative. He also expressed excitement about the win but also hinted he’s not going to rest despite lifting the maiden title.
“Let me say a big thank you to Nana for this amazing initiative. We’ve been playing many competitions in the past, but this is just at a different level”, he said in his victory speech before adding, “I’m happy I won here. I know my opponent very well, and he knows me. I’m glad my strategy worked to perfection. Even though I’m a hard court specialist, I think I enjoyed he clay court as well and I’m hoping I’ll be able to defend this title in the next edition”.
Founder of the event, Nana Kwabena Owusu, congratulated the athletes for their participation in the event and also assured fans and supporters that the next edition will be a huge upgrade on the maiden tour, citing the possibility of having a female category in the next one.
Nana also promised his visionary initiative will help elevate tennis in Ghana from the grassroots level in the next couple of years.
With the maiden edition gaining massive popularity and support, the next edition of the Abiriw Guantuahene Super 8 tennis tournament is set to be held in the Eastern Region of Ghana next year.
