28th May, 2015
Damilare Okunola
Following the emergence of new winners at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Senior Tennis Championship, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, NTF, says tennis is back in the country.
Ndanusa, a former Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC President, who was quite bullish in his submission, noted that the country had been at the developmental stage for years, but believes that the latest trend in the sport may have given birth to a new lease of life in the sport.
Speaking during the official inauguration of the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC Tennis League at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, LLTC, Onikan, Lagos, the former Minister for Sports stated that the latest trend in the sport has given birth to a fresh growth.
“We had been saying before now that the sport is under a rebuilding process in the country and that people should be patient with us while we take pains to start from the scratch.
“In the last few years, we have been able to identify with some players who have grown immensely, especially from the junior cadre.
“But, the events at the CBN Open have shown that we are gradually returning tennis to where it belongs in this country. Although it is still a building process, I can assure you that we have started getting rewards for our hard work,” the NTF President explained.
Meanwhile, the inaugural Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC Tennis League has been officially inaugurated.
The colourful event which was held at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, had several dignitaries in attendance, including the acting Director General, Nigeria Sports Commission, Alhaji Al-hassan Yakmut, president, Nigeria Tennis Federation, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, President, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, among other top government functionaries.
Nigeria’s football legend, Austin Okocha was also present to play an exhibition match against Kehinde Oladipo of the NCC as the 30-week league kicks off at various centres across the country.
Another exhibition match pitching the South against the North also saw Nonso Madueke, representing the South, beat his Northern counterpart, Christian Paul 6-4, 2-6, 10-5 in an entertaining encounter.
The eight teams to vie for the 5million naira jackpot include Team Anambra, Team Kalotari, Team Ogun, CBN Futures, Team Tombim, Civil Defence, Team Delta and Team FCT.
The players will compete in Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Reversed Singles, Mixed Doubles and Men’s Doubles events during each weekend of tennis action.
One of the umpires to handle matches this weekend noted that the new league is a new innovation, explaining that apart from keeping the players busy and fit, it is also serves the purpose of job creation.
“I really appreciate those who came up with this league and the sponsors as well. We do not get to officiate many tournaments in the country these days, but with this new league, we are assured of 30 weeks of continuous engagement which is really commendable.
“I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has made this happen, it’s a really new dawn for tennis in the country. Our sincere prayer and hope is that it continues this way,” said the umpire who craved for anonymity.
All the players involved in the league have expressed their readiness to take up their opponents as they believe the tournament will definitely increase their fitness level on the courts.