Kid To Watch: Ismail Shuaibu

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By Fred Edoreh

As Nigerians countdown to the 8th National Youth Games, Asaba 2024, one of the youngsters to watch out for in the tennis court is Nasarawa State’s Ismail Shuaibu.

At just 12 years old, he has not only demonstrated great commitment to excellence in sports but is promising to drive his career to such height as to possibly attain global recognition in the game of tennis.

He was at the Youth Games last year and played into the quarter finals which was not bad for an 11 years old then, and, this year, Ismail defied all odds to emerge in the semi-finals of the recently concluded Adewale Isa Junior Tennis Tournament for under 12-16 held between August 12 and 17 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, finishing with a bronze medal from a pool of about 60 players.

Thrilled by the outstanding performance of the young tennis player at the event, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, was moved to pen a congratulatory message to him.

The Governor wrote on the official WhatsApp platform of Nasarawa United Football Club where Ismail’s achievement at the Championship was reported, “Congratulations, Shuaibu Ismail, for making us proud.”

At one of the receptions held for the tennis wizkid at the Nasarawa State Government House, Lafia, Sule further enthused that “Ismail’s remarkable performance and commitment to the sport have brought both glory and honour to the State, making the people proud.”

Acknowledging Ismail’s exceptional talent, consistency and performances, Gov Sule said that he is a testament to the bright future of tennis in Nasarawa State.

It is recalled that Gov Sule adopted the youngster over three years ago, taking sponsorship of his tennis career and enabling him to participate in dozens of Junior Tennis Championships both in Nigeria and overseas, and he has often returned with breathtaking outcomes.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the Nasarawa State Ministry of Sports, Eche Amos, Ismail who is interestingly the
son of Nasarawa State Tennis Coach, Shuaibu Usman, is sure to be at the 8th National Youth Games, to improve on his finish at 7th edition.

“He was at the last edition in Asaba. He crashed out in the quarter finals. He met superior oppositions, but was a huge revelation. It’s our prayer that he keeps pushing forward,” he said, revealing that the youngster is increasingly fired by the support and inspiration of Gov Sule whom he said is determined to make Nasarawa State the home of sports in Nigeria.

“He continues to distinguish himself and his administration by creating enabling an environment for the growth and development of sports and talents through the provision of adequate and constant resources while also ensuring the renovation of existing sports infrastructure and constructing new ones to meet global requirements.

“He rewards hard work and excellence, regardless of where it is coming from, believing that it will spur the stakeholders to go an extra mile to make greater impact in their chosen fields and make the state proud.

“His instant response to the athlete’s feat in Lagos is a prelude to better things to happen to Nasarawa State sports, athletes and key stakeholders.”