Coach Tasks Tennis Federation On Dev Programmes

Tunde Akimuju, a coach at the ongoing NNPC/Chevron Youth Tennis Development Clinics in Lagos, has advised the Nigeria Tennis Federation to concentrate more on developmental programmes to raise more talents.

Akimuju gave the advice in an interview with newsmen at the weekend in Lagos.

He said that a well structured programme devoid of politics would enhance tennis development in the country.

The coach also called for the involvement of more corporate organisations in the sponsorship of youth programmes to further encourage them in tennis.

“We have potential tennis athletes here in Nigeria but we lack sponsors in this sport,’’ Akimuju said.

He expressed doubts on Nigeria’s chances of winning gold in tennis at the 10thAll Africa Games in Maputo because of the stiff opposition posed by countries like South Africa and Zimbabwe.

“We have countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe with good records; the chances of us clinching gold medal are slim except God intervenes,” Akimuju said.