Abigail's game plan for fame

RISING tennis star Abigail Belibi

A RISING tennis star has secured her place on the national stage after victory in a three-day county tournament.

The 10-year-old player who first held a tennis racket when she was seven, won 10-5 in the 10U Girls Aegon County Cup alongside three teammates.

Abigail Belibi served her way to success in the qualifiers in Lymm before beating the likes of North of Scotland, Yorkshire and South Wales in the Sunderland-based finals earlier this month.

Abigail said: "I feel great about winning the latest competition. It's the best feeling when you win your matches and get a trophy or a medal with a special presentation.

"I playing matches because I like being competitive, and I love playing the sport overall. I also love meeting new friends on the circuit.

"I hope the sport will take me to a professional level where I can play both nationally and internationally and play in all the grand slams worldwide."

The East Crompton St George's CE Primary School pupil competed alongside Jadesola Cole, Hima Fernando and Lily Harper in the finals on June 9-11.

But with limited means, Abigail's parents have leant heavily on their own coaching skills and the free courts in Alexandra Park for training sessions.

It is no surprise then, that Joseph and Patricia Belibi, from Watersheddings, were very proud of their daughter's win at the National County Finals.

Reward

Father Joseph Belibi said: "We give all credit to the children. They are only 10, still growing, and it is a lot of pressure to play in front of an audience.

"This is the perfect reward for all their hard work."

The family hope to highlight Abigail's potential in order to seek sponsorship from the Oldham area.

Joseph added: "Abigail began training one year after her teammates.

"She hasn't had the financial means and quality of coaching they have had and yet she has been chosen among the best.

"She is unique."

Oldham-born Patricia, who previously played tennis competitively, has taken a lead role in coaching Abigail for around fifteen hours each week at Alexandra Park, which the family described as their "saving grace" as well playing indoors at Virgin Active in Middleton.

Abigail, who has two siblings, won her first regional tournaments aged eight, finishing Number 1 on the leaderboard in Lancashire when she was nine.

Her newfound success in Sunderland, following three months of trials and a qualifier in Lymm, identifies her as one of the best players in the country for her age category.

The Lawn Tennis Association said of the Girls County Cup success: "The girls saw the finish line and ran away with it winning 10-5. We couldn't believe it. We had managed to come back three times in shoot outs to win it. A great achievement. A great fight. Well done to all the players, time for a well-earned rest."

To help kick-start Abigail's professional career contact Joseph on belibij@hotmail.com.

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