Lagos Open: How Organisers Planned Surprise Birthday Bash For 19-year-old Indian Player

A surprise birthday celebration was on Wednesday, 3 October, organised for an Indian player taking part in the ongoing Lagos Open International Tennis Championships.

The player, Jennifer Luikham, is one of foreign stars featuring in the competition which was formerly known as Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis and held annually at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Jennifer Luikham cutting her surprise birthday cake on Wednesday, 3 October.

Luikham was born on 3 October 1999 and the right handed (double handed backhand) started playing tennis at the age of seven.

The Tournament Director, Prince Wale Oladunjoye said that the birthday bash was the first of its kind for the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the competition since inception.

Luikham, whose mother came with her to the tournament, was full of excitement and gratitude to the organisers for putting up such a surprise event for her.

An excited Luikham raises her hands in ecstasy.

Tiffany William, a Nigerian-born British player, sang a birthday song for the Indian player in the presence of other players participating in the Lagos Open Championships.

The Secretary of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Mrs. Mariam Akande, former Commissioner for Sports in Lagos State, Mr. Segun Dawodu, among others, were present at the brief ceremony held at the bar of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club.