All is now set for the 8th edition of the Tennis Championship, tagged “tennis extravaganza”, to serve off in Enugu, as players from the South East, South South and South West regions, participate.
The Championship set to begin from 20th to 23rd August is being sponsored by Prince Victor Uwakwe, organized by the Enugu State Tennis Association, ESTA in collaboration with Enugu Sports Club, Tennis Section.
Speaking to newsmen in his office yesterday, Executive Chairman Enugu Sports Club, Barrister Ifeanyi Nweke, described the event as noble and all embracing, saying that the program will help groom exceptional talents for the future.
According to him, the role of passion, dedication and discipline cannot be over emphasized, likewise an enabling atmosphere, to excel in any sporting activity; saying that the Club is creating such an avenue for the growth of sports in the state.
Also Speaking, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, LOC, Dr. Lawrence Azike, hinted that the competition would see players compete in the Under-15 and Under-21 for both boys and girls, in a round robin format, semifinals, finals as well as prize presentations, adding that they are expecting about 116 players and coaches to participate.
The LOC Chairman further expressed gratitude to the sponsor for his financial commitments towards the consistency of the event, while reiterating that the championship will expose players to become the next generation of super stars.
On what young players, parents and guardian should do to improve their skills in the game, the newly elected Captain, Tennis section, Enugu Sports Club, Chukwuma Eze, acknowledged the current financial constraints, but encouraged parents and guardians to create space for their kids and wards to get involved in any sporting activity.
It would be recalled that John Nubari from Rivers and Ezeh Chidinma from Anambra States won the Under-21 male and female category during the last edition of the tournament, while Chimaobi Isaac and Ayetuoma Fego from Imo and Rivers States also won the Under-15 male and female category respectively.
