Abuja: No fewer than 300 players gathered in Lagos as the Adewale Isa Foundation flagged off its 7th annual Tennis Tournament. The week-long tournament, which started on Monday at the Mainland Tennis Club, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, runs from Aug. 31 to Sept. 5.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the tournament is in honour of Adewale Isa, a former tennis coach. The event is part of the foundation’s continued efforts to promote sports development, nurture young talent, and encourage active youth participation in tennis.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nurudeen Isa, Director of the foundation, highlighted that the initiative was established to immortalize the legacy of his late father, who was Nigeria’s first Olympic tennis coach in 1984. He noted that his father had produced several notable players, such as Sadiq Abdullahi, Yakubu Suleiman, and Sanni Suleiman. The tournament, initially staged at a regional level, expanded nationwide before moving to Lagos in 2022.
Isa emphasized the initiative’s expansion beyond tennis, with winners in the U-12 categories offered training tours in the U.S. The foundation also introduced educational scholarships for SS2 and SS3 students this year, reflecting his father’s belief in the combination of sports and education. Despite challenges like inadequate equipment and facilities, the foundation provides tennis equipment to winners and supports other participants based on needs and resources.
Sikirat Isa-Adigun, Chairperson of the foundation and eldest daughter of the late Isa, described tennis as central to her father’s life. She noted that her father was Nigeria’s only Olympic tennis coach and expressed the foundation’s aim to inspire young players to surpass his achievements. Despite challenges like inadequate funding, the foundation has positively impacted participants by building friendships, self-esteem, and hope among young players. The long-term goal is to produce champions akin to Serena Williams and Ashleigh Barty.
Meanwhile, young players expressed excitement about participating in the tournament. In the girls’ U-12 matches, Christian Adeyeye defeated Darasimi Uduyeye with scores of 4-1, 4-1. Lucia Sadiku defeated Destiny Ajala with scores of 4-0, 4-0, while Grace Oritingben won against Wuraola Mogbonjubola with scores of 4-0, 4-0. In the boys’ U-12, Joshua Ayebaife defeated Roimot Akindele with scores of 5-3, 4-0.