Semi-finalists have started emerging in this year’s NCC Tennis League, thereby confirming them for the N2m prize money range on offer for squads that make it to the last-four slots of the competition in Lagos.
Added to the mammoth participation fees due to semi-finalists, the NCC Tennis League offers a total prize money of N23m, from which the squad that eventually ends up as champions will take home N7m.
Leading the pack are Lagos-based Leadway Assurance and Team Offikwu of Kaduna, who both secured semi-final places from the Blue Group.
By their semi-final qualifications, both top seeds are guaranteed a take home in minimum of N2m, which is the prize for fourth placed.
Team Offikwu dropped only a match against Team Luik of Lekki, when Christian Paul retired in the reverse singles versus Chima Michael.
Team Luik also came close to taking another match in the ladies’ singles where Christie Agugbom, immediate past women’s champion, defeated Ronke Akingbade 6-4, 3-6, 10-8.
However, the star-studded team featuring four national champions were comfortable 6-1 overall winners at the end.
On the other hand, Leadway Assurance found it smooth sailing all the way, as they out stroked Jos-based Team SBL 7-0.
Leadway Assurance sealed a semi-final place ahead of their final group match against Team Luik, while Team Offikwu already have four points and will take on Team Yetade of Ekiti in their final group match.
The semi-final places in the White Group are still open, as Team Tech Vibes of Jos, Team Kalotari of Port Harcourt and Team Goshen of Ilorin could end with four points, but be separated by matches won and lost.
