Sports

NTF declares intention to develop tennis from grassroots

The Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) has declared intention to develop  the sport from grassroots

TBI Africa.com said the President of the federation Ifedayo Akindoju made the declaration on Sunday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Akindoju made the declaration on the sidelines of a tennis tournament organised by the Nigeria Tennis Federation, in collaboration  with International Tennis Federation (ITF).

The president said Nigeria tennis had developed to international level and that the federation was focusing on building young players for future competitions.

“As a federation, 80 per cent  of our priorities is to build and develop junior players.  We are working on  how we build school for young players.

“We  have a Portuguese player  with us in the federation  who is here with us to set up on how we can start  junior developmental programme.

“We want to create academy  for young players; as they are  learning  the sport, they will also be studying alongside to develop their performances in the sport,” he said.

He said the  tournament would attract sponsors, adding that it was also a source of tourism.

” The two players that played the final game  are both foreigners from France and Ukraine; they came to Nigeria specifically for this tournament.

“About 28 countries are participating  in this three weeks competition and the largest number of players came from Europe and America, ” the president said.

He added that the federation was trying to introduce electronic  score board in the bid to improve standards of officiating in the game.

NAN reports the tournament,  which is an annual event, is being organised by Tombim  Sports  Foundation,  Dayak  Nigeria Limited (General Construction Building Materials) and Gladiator  System  Limited (GSL) .

A total of 28 countries are participating in the tournament, which is holding at the Tennis Complex of the National Stadium in Abuja.

The tournament started on April 8 and is expected to end on April 28.

 

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