By Fisayo Dairo
Unfazed by the rarity in the emergence of global stars in Tennis from this part of the world, Akwa Ibom state’s 17-year old Tennis prospect Etoro-Obong Bassey is confident she will be a force to be reckoned within the next five years.
You cannot but fall in love with the composure and admirable confidence that exudes from this calm teenager so much so that every word from her lips was matched by an assured demeanour as one who means every bit of it.
Safe passage to the semis
Bassey had just dispatched Favour Lucky of Imo state in straight sets 5-3, 4-1 to book a place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Singles at the Tennis Court of the Dakkada Skill Acquisition Centre, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
“The game was a little bit tough at first,” she began.
“I tried to understand the court because I’m not used to the court actually, it was a bit rough and I’m not used to the environment so I try to get to know the court.
“It was really tough at first but then I got along and it went well,” noted the secondary school leaver with a wry smile.
Ready to meet expectations
Hosts of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) Akwa Ibom state have used the opportunity to groom future champions as against a desperation to win. For Etoro though, she is one of the genuine medal hopes as her quality has never been in doubt.
It is a weight of expectation that young Miss Bassey assures she will not crumble under as she believes she is well-equipped to deliver the Number 1 spot to her state.
“They (Akwa Ibomites) should expect the gold medal from me. I really think I can pull this off. It’s been great so far and I’m prepared physically and mentally for my matches,” she affirmed.
Bassey would shortly after speaking with NDSF Media book a spot in the Women’s Doubles semi-finals after teaming up with Favour James to beat Edo State in the quarterfinals. The Edo pair included Lorelay Holzendorff who will face Bassey in the singles’ semi-finals, meaning there’s a chance of two gold medals for her.
From the beginning to the future
Tennis was not always it for Etoro. It took her time to develop an interest in the sport and from the moment she did, she has not looked back.
She noted: “To be honest I didn’t really like the sport. My brother and sister started started playing a long time ago but then after a while I began to watch and took interest in it and now, I love it, it helps you express yourself in court and I decided playing it and enjoying it.”
The question posed to her next was that of a possibility of a talent being born in Etoro-Obong Bassey and she seemed so sure of where she is heading to from here.
“I see myself being a star even better than Serena (Williams) and (Madison) Keys and Sabalenka and the rest. I give myself five years. In the next five years, I’ll be on TV playing the Grand Slams and the rest of them.
“Right now, I’m studying for my SAT, I hope to get a scholarship into SURE University and then since it’s difficult to combine Sports and University in Nigeria so I plan to go on scholarship abroad to play Tennis and go to college,” she summed.
If I were you, I would save the name.
