Centralian excellence in sports – Nikhel Supeda Nowlakha, a grade 6 pupil of CPU Elementary qualified in the two week IMG Academy Bollettieri Tennis Program to be held at Florida, USA on June-July 2017.
Nowlakha with CPU Alumni President Dan Dorillo and CPU Alumni Assn. Greater Toronto Area Founding President, Rick Falco.
The IMG Academy Bollettieri tennis program pioneered the concept of a residency program nearly 40 years ago and still sets the standard by which all tennis academies around the world are measured. Through the program’s focus on technical, tactical, physical, and mental instruction, they’ve developed champions at every level. With a program infrastructure that allows for student-athletes to grow and compete with others with similar skill sets, IMG Academy tennis represents the ultimate program for everyone from nationally ranked elite players with aspirations of being a professional to those who want to compete at all levels of collegiate tennis (www.imgacademy.com).
Passion and determination, Nowlokha shows promise as a tennis player representing CPU.
The program has trained thousands of young tennis enthusiasts. Notable alumni of the program include Andre Agassi, Björn Borg, Boris Becker, Pete Sampras, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams.
Nowlakha who ranks 14th in the Philippines among his age group, is no. 1 in Visayas. He has been representing CPU in various tennis tournaments across the country. Last year, he ranked 4th in the tennis singles competition during Palarong Pambansa. This year, he placed 1st in the Western Visayas Private Schools Athletic Association (WVRISAA) tennis singles and doubles with his partner Jan Roger Lamparero, and will be once again representing Region 6 in the nationals. “I really want to win the gold this year for CPU.”
Nowlakha, 12 years old, ranks as the no. 1 tennis player in Western Visayas.
With his mother, Ma. Concepcion Supeda, Nowlakha goes to the CPU Tennis Court from Mondays to Fridays at 6:00 in the morning so that he can practice with his coach Noel Sorilla. “My coach encourages me a lot, he teaches me a lot about tennis.” He shares that though he is competing for both tennis singles and doubles he prefers to play doubles. “I first started playing tennis doubles, so I’m used to it. If we make a mistake, my partner and I would just high five and encourage each other. Tennis taught me to have patience and to always push my body to the limit.”
At the age of 12, Nowlakha sees himself playing tennis for the rest of his life. However, he will have different priorities by then. “I would love to play tennis all my life but when I grow up, I will probably play it as a hobby. I want take up Bachelor of Science in Biology and become a Doctor.”
“My parents, my coaches, and my trainers inspire me to become a better player. I would encourage other young person like me who also wants to excel in tennis to train hard, to follow their coach and to not be lazy.”
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