A member of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) board, Yemi Owoseni, on Wednesday lauded the feat achieved by Ekiti tennis players at the just-concluded National Youth Games (NYG).
Owoseni, who is the International Federations’ Representative on the NTF board, gave the commendation while hosting in Ado-Ekiti the Ekiti team to the NYG held in Ilorin, Kwara.
“I am excited that tennis fetched the state five out of the 13 medals Team Ekiti won at the Games.
“It is a testimony that the series of tournaments and programmes organised for upcoming tennis players have yielded positive results,” the former Permanent Secretary in the Ekiti Ministry of Youth and Sports said.
Owoseni also applauded the state tennis coach, Wumi Ogunsakin, for consistently earning victories at most youth tennis championships in the country, urging him to keep up the good work.
He noted that paucity of funds could have deprived the tennis players the privilege of traveling to Ilorin for the tournament, but for Ogunsakin’s timely financial intervention and pragmatism.
“This in the long run yielded positive result,” the national federation board member said.
He disclosed that as part of further efforts to sustain the tempo of keeping young players in their best shape prior to future competitions, another championship was being organised.
Owoseni said this would hold between Thursday and Saturday.
He said the tennis championship tagged “Ekiti Female Open Tennis Championship” is being sponsored by Sebi Foundation in conjunction with Yetade Tennis Academy and Tennis Nigeria.
“Apart from prizes and gifts for outstanding participants, the competition is also aimed at sharpening the skills of female tennis players in the state.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 16 girls were being expected to feature in the three-day event holding in Ado Ekiti.