Leadership (Abuja)
Ishaku Kigbu
27 March 2008
Abuja — The quick intervention by the National Sports Commission, following pleas from the Nigeria Tennis Federation calling on the commission to assist Junior Tennis players in honouring the African Challenge has seen the commission rescue the federation, with the team currently taking part in the championship in Botswana.
The team had been plagued with sponsorship problems.
Responding timely, seven players and two officials are already in Botswana for the African Junior Tennis Championship for the Under 14 and 16 categories courtesy of the ministry of sports' support in the area of footing the bills of the athletes and officials.
According to officials of the tennis federation, the NSC is taking full responsibility of flight tickets, allowances and accommodation of the seven players and two officials through out their stay in Botswana. "The commission responded timely to our admiration after our request for assistance.
By the timely intervention, seven players and two officials of the federation are at the moment in Botswana for the African Junior Tennis Championship for the unders 14, 16 and 18 categories. The commission is taking care of their flight tickets, allowances and accommodation while in Botswana. We've never had this kind of support from the commission before now, and feel this will go along way to encourage the team and the federation. On our part we shall do our best since we believe some players will qualify for the international tennis federation sponsored programmes and African training tours as well as qualify for the South Africa training centre in Pretoria," stated Engr. Sani Ndanusa, President Nigeria Tennis Federation.
While expressing gratitude to the commission and promising good outing, he said the move by the ministry will not be wasted since it is an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase her huge tennis potentials to the world, as eagle eye coaches and instructors are on hand to scout for future talents. "We believe as players from 15 African countries are at the moment in Botswana, some of our talents will qualify for several other sponsored African training tours, including the South Africa training centre in Pretoria where it will serve as an opportunity for better international sponsorship," The tennis boss stated.
The championship began last week 18th and ended today, Thursday March 27.
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