The Minister of Youth andSports,Solomon Dalung, has served off the 2nd Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) Tennis League with an appealed to individuals, private and public companies to support sports growth at the grassroots.
Dalung, who made the appeal on Thursday at the Tennis Section of Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos, said: “I thank the NCC for partnering with the tennis bodies involved in this tournament.
“This is a big step, one I really admire. I urge that other sports that do not have leagues should take a cue from this so that sports can grow.
“Moreso, it is not only in the hands of the sports federations to make this happen but also in our own hands.
“Let us invest in the future leaders who are engaged in different sports and help sports growth,” Dalung said, adding that “sports are one of our unifying factors.
“If investors in the country refuse to develop sports, we are just breeding future criminals and these criminals will destroy the fabrics of our nation.
“So, the best bet for our investors is to support sports at all levels. This will go a long way to help youths to engage in one sport or another to curb crimes.”
Dalung said that developing sports would bring about the much-needed growth, adding that sports lovers should change their views if it must survive.
“We must think positively at all times for the country.
“We should support and develop our minds set so that the younger generation will have hope in sports in the future,” he said.
Iyabo Solanke, the Director for Special Duties, who represented the Executive Vice-President of NCC, said that the commission was glad to be associated with Tennis.
“We are happy that we are involved in sports, especially Tennis.
“We see it as a social responsibility to help the sport to grow to become world class in the country,’’ she said.
Meanwhile, the league was opened with exhibition matches.
In the first match, top seed, Sarah Adegoke, lost to tennis prodigy and a Junior Circuit player, Marylove Edwards, in a pro-set winning 10-12.
In the male doubles event, the duo of Sunday Maku, the current national double champion and Nonso Maduaeke, seeded 5 defeated the club’s top players, Chiwete Njokanma and Kalada Kienka, winning 10-5.
The mixed doubles duo of Monday Igbinovia and Ronke Akingbade were victors, defeating Maduaeke and number one female seed, Christy Agugbom in two 10-6, 11-9.
10 teams divided into two groups are participating in the competition.
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