The first-ever Nigeria Tennis Live (NTL), Lagos Secondary Schools Championship kicked off on Thursday, featuring an impressive turnout of over 100 student athletes from across Lagos State.
Scheduled to span three days, the event is taking place at the Mainland Tennis Club, located within the National Theatre in Surulere, and will conclude on Saturday. Participants hail from approximately 50 secondary schools within the state.
Early matches saw Oluwatishe Ogungbade triumph over Desmond Sikiru with scores of 4-1, 4-2. Daniel Israel claimed victory against Godwin Fortune, winning 4-1, 4-0.
Tobi Taiye secured a solid win against David Awani, finishing 4-1, 4-0, while Oluwajare Farinre bested Enoch Haigim with a score of 4-1, 4-1. David Usoh also demonstrated skill by defeating Devin Izaka 4-1, 4-2.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this championship aims to identify and nurture emerging tennis talents through competitive play among young athletes. The objective is not only to enhance sports development but also to actively engage youth in the sport of tennis.
The tournament is seen as a crucial platform for students to show off their skills and gain valuable experience in tennis.
Tournament Director, Damilare Okunola, expressed the event's intent to foster junior talent and prepare them for potential global competitions, including the Olympics. “We recognized a significant level of talent among junior players, yet there are insufficient tournaments available for them,” he remarked.
Okunola emphasized, “This initiative represents a vital first step towards achieving our objectives. We aim to kickstart the process as many talented players require increased exposure.” He regards the championship as a foundational scheme for mentoring young sportspeople.
“In the next two Olympic cycles, we could witness athletes emerging if we lay the groundwork now. I want the children to savor the game of tennis,” he elaborated.
Okunola noted the commendable turnout, highlighting active participation from various schools, suggesting that the community appreciates the initiative. “The event already appears to be a success, as evidenced by the attendance and the number of participating schools,” he commented.
He acknowledged the collaboration of Corona Secondary School and looks forward to enhanced partnerships in future tournaments. While he noted some minor issues like late arrivals, he commended the overall smooth operation of the event, indicative of favorable weather conditions.
Coach Itandayo Adekale from Corona School praised the tournament for its competitiveness and organization, commending the athletes for their discipline and determination. “It is essential for beginners to gauge their capabilities,” he said, expressing his goal for his students to improve and excel in future contests.
In addition, parent Yvonne Ogunoiki applauded the organizers, stating, “It is crucial for children to gain exposure and compete beyond their school settings to enhance their skills.”
She articulated the dual objective of the tournament: exposure and triumph. “We aspire for them to benefit from this experience,” she added. “Their consistent training allows them to encounter varied competitors, test their abilities, and develop.”
“We want to foster their confidence, adaptability to competition, and drive for victory,” she concluded.
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