The Lord Lugard Club, Lokoja, Kogi State would be a beehive of activities as junior tennis players would storm there from September 18 to 23 for this year’s Governor’s Junior Championship.
Four players from each state of the federation two boys and two girls would be admitted in the tournament, which would have the boys and girls singles champions assisted to the ITF 18 years and under tournament in Nairobi, Kenya later this year.
Prince Matthew Kolawole, the president of Achiever International Sports Academy that is organizing the tournament told nigeriasports.com this afternoon in Abuja that the tournament would be explosive.
“We have indicated that four players of two boys and two girls would be expected from each state of the Federation, but from what we are currently having, we may be compelled to increase the scope to accommodate all the entries.
“This is a junior programme which is aimed at developing the players in the grassroots, and there is no way we would send back players that are showing interest to excel”, said Prince Kolawole.
Explaining on the champions being sponsored to an ITF junior tournament in Kenya, Prince Kolawole said, “We have done it before, and the winners in the boys and girls singles categories would be sent to participate in the ITF 18 years and Under tournament in Kenya. This would be part of exposure for the players”.
He said the Nigeria Tennis Federation is part of the organization to ensure that those with the intent to cheat on age would be flushed out.
“We would not condone any form of cheating on age. Sine we are working conjunction with the NTF that has the record of virtually all the junior players in the country, we will not have much problem in identifying those cheats”, he stated.
Kolawole however indicated that the players and accompanying officials are expected to arrive in Lokoja on September 17 for the tournament to serve off the following morning being September 18th.
By Fidelis Ebu
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