The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Friday, defied rains to commence the draws and launch of the third edition National Tennis League; sanctioned by the National Tennis Federation (NTF).
Professor Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of NCC received key stakeholders of sports and telecommunications industry, organisers and coordinators of the NCC Cup, International Tennis Academy led by Tennis player Godwin Kienka, team leaders and captains of the various clubs as the tournament was ushered in at the Ikoyi Tennis club, Lagos.
Professor Umar who was represented by Mrs. Iyabo Sholanke, Director, Special Duties at the Commission, said that the tournament which generates excitement across the country, was meant to harness talents for the growth of the sport in Nigeria.
“We are fulfilled with the impact, which this tournament has made in the Nigerian tennis circuit. We are proud to have used this opportunity to engage a number of Nigeria youths in a very fruitful and engaging enterprise with a bright future outlook.
“We proud to have taken tennis to locations where high quality tennis has not taken place in a long time,” the EVC said.
He reiterated that the quality of play at the NCC Tennis Cup is a very high standard. “It is one tournament in which Nigeria’s best tennis players have participated, including a number of Nigerian players based abroad.
“This is why the tournament generates a lot of excitement across the country. We have also observed that all players have also taken this competition very seriously and are training seriously to improve their skills and to win and attract some incomes that enables them to support their aspirations to rise to the international standard expected of highflying tennis players.
“The Commission has also maintained the prizes of the 2016 Edition for the 2017 edition. Therefore, the winning team will receive N7million, the second best will go home with N5million, the third will receive N3million while the fourth will earn N7million for their efforts.
£Also, all the teams will receive N500,000 each to support their preparations for the tournament.
“NCC Tennis Cup is a team tennis competition that is open to all, including the very best male and female tennis players in Nigeria. We are proud that this tournament has the cream of the best and promising Nigerian female and male players who are equally as excited as we all, to ply their trade in the courts for the many weeks that this competition will last.
“It is worthy repeating that our choice to sponsor this tournament was guided principally by our commitment to be socially responsible and to invest in the development and sharpening of skill of our citizens who could develop to the point of making livings with this sport and also doing the nation proud by winning laurels. NCC Tennis Cup increases competition among the players, which is an advantage when it comes to preparation for other competition within and outside Nigeria.
“Part of our objectives in this sponsorship was able to give recognition to top tennis players through prize monies and empower them to launch professional careers abroad, and also attract sponsorship to teams, which can train them with professional coaches as members”, he said.
The EVC also confirmed that up to ten of the players in the last editions have received ranked by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) in the past two years.
The number of participating teams have also increased from 10 to 12 for the present edition.
