Tennis advocates at City Sports Club in Abuja have stressed the importance of grassroots development to unearth and nurture future tennis talent in Nigeria.
This call to action was made during a One-day Interactive Tennis Tournament held at the Temporary Club House, Police Officers Mess, Garki 2, Abuja, in celebration of Pa Eugene Iwuh’s 80th birthday.
Sylvester Uzoama, Vice President of the City Sports Club, praised Pa Iwuh on his milestone and affirmed the club’s commitment to promoting tennis from the grassroots level. He highlighted the benefits of tennis for longevity and wellness, noting Pa Iwuh’s ongoing participation at 80 as an inspiration.
“Our focus is on developing tennis from the ground up. We dedicate time to teach children the basics of the sport and guide them through their early learning stages,” Uzoama said. He also emphasized the need for increased national investment in tennis, recalling Nigeria’s past tennis achievements with notable players like Nduka Odizor and Tony Mmoh.
Uzoama expressed hope that the club’s efforts would spark greater awareness and encourage further investment in Nigerian tennis.
High Chief Eugene Iwuh, the event’s honoree, commended the Nigeria Tennis Federation but urged a return to grassroots talent scouting. He criticized the overage athletes sent to the Olympics, stressing that investing in young talent is crucial for future success.
Dipo Obanewa, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and BOT member of the club, used Pa Iwuh’s example to stress the importance of sports for mental and physical health. He encouraged those not yet involved in sports to participate, particularly in tennis.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Anthony Udoh from City Sports Club won the tournament with 11 points. John Kekeocha, also from City Sports Club, secured second place with 10 points, while Brenda Bassey from Abuja Country Club and Obibia Edere from City Sports Club shared third place with nine points each.
