The maiden edition of the Senate President National Open Lawn Tennis Championship has been scheduled for this October.
The tournament is being organised by Africa Sports Management Nigeria Limited in collaboration with the Nigeria Tennis Federation. This was revealed when the chairman and CEO of Africa Sports Management, Rt. Hon. Prince Mathew Kolawole, led a delegation to the Office of the President of the Senate yesterday. Kolawole was accompanied by Rotimi Akinloye, representing the President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, to formally inform the Senate President about the initiative.
The visit was facilitated by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Development, Senator Abdul Ningi. Kolawole stated that the championship is being organised in recognition of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s effective leadership at the National Assembly.
He also noted that the main objectives of the tournament are to promote tennis development in Nigeria and engage youths through competitive sports, using athletics as a medium of connection. Kolawole announced that the tournament will take place in Abuja and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Receiving his guests, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, welcomed the initiative and assured them of his support. He used the occasion to appeal to the Nigerian private sector for assistance in funding sports.
“The private sector can drive sports in Nigeria. Sports must not be funded solely by the government. There are too many competing demands for the resources of the federal government. Let the private sector come in and assist us; this kind of competition can attract private investment, encouraging students to take an interest in tennis, and in the future, they will make Nigeria proud,” Akpabio said.
