By: Nana Yaw Preko Bimpeh
Bernard Yawson has emerged as the champion of the first-ever Tennis Professionals Ghana (TPG) Wheelchair Tennis Ranking Tournament. The two-day event, held on July 25th and 26th, marked a new chapter for wheelchair tennis in Ghana, showcasing the talent and dedication of the nation’s para-athletes.
The tournament, a collaborative effort between Tennis Professionals Ghana and the Ghana Tennis Federation Wheelchair Tennis, featured a competitive field of 12 players. The participants included two female professionals who demonstrated their prowess among 10 male wheelchair tennis players.
In a thrilling final, Bernard Yawson triumphed over a formidable Daniel Laryea with a final score of 7-6 (5), 6-2. The victory solidified Yawson’s position as the new TPG Tour 4 Number 1 Wheelchair Tennis Champion.
The event brought together notable wheelchair tennis professionals from across Accra, including Maclean Astu Dzidzienyo, Bridget Nartey, Abdul Razak Nuhu, and Stacy Konadu Mensah. The high level of competition and sportsmanship was a highlight for all in attendance.
Following the tournament, Mr. Henry Larbi, the National Coordinator of Ghana Wheelchair Tennis, expressed his gratitude to the organisers of TPG for the collaboration. He also announced plans to formalise the partnership by signing an official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen the wheelchair component of the TPG Tour.
Bernard Yawson, the winner of the event, stated, “This inaugural tournament is a crucial step in preparing Ghana’s wheelchair tennis players for upcoming international competitions. It will serve as an important tool for players who are scheduled to participate in ITF Wheelchair Tennis International Tournaments in Poland and other countries.”
The success of this tournament underscores the growing potential of wheelchair tennis in Ghana and the commitment of organisations like TPG and the Ghana Tennis Federation to provide a platform for para-athletes to excel.
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