Coaches Laud Initiative Of CBN Tennis Championships

Coaches at the 2012 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Junior Tennis Championships in Lagos have lauded the organisers, saying the tournament will enhance development of young players in the country.

In separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos, the coaches commended the consistency of the CBN in organising the championships for the past six years.

Patrick Obebor, the coach of the University of Lagos, said that the competition had been instrumental to the growth of the sport in the country.

“I give kudos to the organisers for having thought of bringing the game down to the grassroots, as this will help in bringing out future stars.

“The only way to see a tennis star rise to the top is through this medium where he or she goes through the basic training of the sport and learns to become a good player,’’ Obebor said.

Enugu-based Emmanuel Eze, a parent of two of the participants, said that he was impressed with the organisation of the championship and the standard of play.

According to him, the championships are paving the way for Nigeria to produce world tennis stars.

“I am short of words and I praise the organisers for putting up such a programme whereby the young ones can be developed through competitions.

“We have been longing to see a programme like this, and I am glad that the organisers took it upon themselves to develop the skills of these young ones.

“Overall, it is good for the young ones who can play the game to use it as an avenue to express themselves in sports,’’ Eze said.

Akinogun Michael, an Ogun State coach, said that his players had improved in the game as a result of the exposure in the competition.

Michael said that following the improvement noticed in some of his players who featured in previous competitions, he registered some debutants to feature in the 2012 edition.

“I am happy and I commend the organisers. The championships have helped improved on my players who are currently in the quarter final stage.

“This is one grassroots programme that will produce world tennis stars in the nearest future,’’ he said.