Michael Nortey Upsets Big Brother

Michael Nortey last Saturday stunned his big brother, Patrick Nortey, 5-7 , 6-3 , 6-2 to lift the men's Juvita Tennis Open Champioship trophy at the Accra stadium tennis court to draw the curtain down on the competition.

Pre-match favourite, Patrick Nortey, a Davis Cup player, could not bring his experience to bear on the match described by tennis enthusiasts as a 'David and Goliath' affair, as he relied on powerful services to intimidate his kid brother.

This strategy ,however, affected Patrick's staying power and Michael capitalised on that to overpower him, especially in the last two sets.Patrick's powerful services, though shortlived succeeded in unsettling Mike in the opening set. However, the younger sibling confronted the second set with all dexterity which won him the admiration of many. this boosted his morale to match Parick, skill for skill in the last set.

The game was dramatic as Patrick played guardedly to protect his reputation, while Michael had most of the fans behind him on the way to victory. For his prize, he took home a magnificent trophy and a ¢ 2 million cash prize, the highest cash prize in the annals of Ghana tennis. His big brother took home ¢1 million, a trophy and a pack of Juvita fruit drink.

In the boys U-16 final, Albert Arthur of Winneba Tennis Academy outplayed Wisdom Adjago of Koforidua 6-0 6-1. He received ¢million as his prize, with ¢500,000 going to the runner-up. In the girls U- 16, Ernestina Atiso from Osu beat Winneba-based Mariama Hamidu 6-0 6-1 to emerge winner of the girls U-16 category.

She took home a cash prize of ¢700,000 while the ruuner-up picked ¢200,000.Kwabena Essandor beat Wisdom Adjago 6-0 , 6-3 in the boys U-14 category. Linda Parker triumphed over Anita Cudjoe 7-6 ,2-6 ,6-4. in the girls U-13 division.In the boys U-10,Kwaku Asare-Ankomah from the GNTC Tennis club bowed 2-6, 3-6 to Kwabena Ofosu- Bamfo.They received ¢100,000 cash each and packs of Juvita products.

The nine-day tournament attracted 175 participants from Winneba, Prampram, Kumasi, Koforidua and Accra.

In his closing remarks, the Minister of state for Education, Youth and Sports, Alhaji Rashid Bawa, pointed out that the sport has a bright future and urged the losers to buck up.Mr Joe Aggrey, Deputy Ministerfor Youth and Sports and the the chairman of the Ghana Olympic Committee, B.T Baba, were there to grace the occasion.