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Tag: Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF)

  • Tennis family pays tribute to late NTF president Akindoju

    Tennis family pays tribute to late NTF president Akindoju

    Tennis enthusiasts and dignitaries on Saturday paid tribute to the Late Dayo Akindoju, former President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), who passed away while on active national duty.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a Night of Tributes in Honour of the Late NTF president held at the Centre Court of the National Tennis Centre, Package B, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    The solemn event drew tributes from tennis administrators, players, and friends across Africa.

    President of the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT), Mr. Jean-Claude Talon, described Akindoju as a visionary leader and a man of peace, adding that his sudden demise was a great loss to Africa.

    “It is with profound sorrow and heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of our beloved brother, friend, and colleague.

    “Engr. Akindoju was not only a visionary leader but also a passionate advocate for the growth of tennis in Nigeria and across Africa,” Talon said.

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    He added that Akindoju’s humility, integrity, and commitment left an indelible mark on African tennis.

    “His loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him and working alongside him.

    “May the Almighty God grant him eternal peace and welcome his soul into everlasting paradise,” he prayed.

    The newly elected NTF President, Mr. Victor Ochei, said the late Akindoju’s death was a painful loss to the tennis community.

    “It’s a sad loss, but you can’t question God. Dayo achieved what many people who live longer wouldn’t achieve.

    “He laid the foundation for Nigerian tennis, and I promise to build on that structure so the game reaches its highest potential,” Ochei stated.

    He described Akindoju as one who “served Nigerian tennis with unwavering passion, vision, and dedication,” adding that his legacy would continue to inspire the development of the sport.

    Former NTF President, Mr. Sani Ndanusa, expressed deep shock over Akindoju’s passing, noting that his eight-year tenure stood out for its remarkable impact.

    “His leadership brought Nigeria back to the World Group of the Davis Cup after a decade. That achievement alone defines his legacy,” Ndanusa said.

    He emphasised that Akindoju’s life was a lesson in passion and commitment to sports development.

    Paul Akindoju, son of the late tennis chief, thanked attendees for their love and support.

    “The presence of everyone here, the prayers, and the solidarity have brought my family great comfort.

    “My father will be smiling down on us today. Tennis was one of his greatest passions, and this tribute night means the world to us,” he said.

    The Night of Tributes reflected the profound respect and admiration the tennis community holds for the late Akindoju—an engineer, leader, and friend whose legacy continues to shape the growth of tennis in Nigeria and across Africa.

  • Ghanaian coaches commend NTF after bagging ITF certificate

     
    Two Ghanaian coaches that participated in the ITF Level 1 Coaching Course, which was concluded over the weekend in Lagos have expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) for helping them become professional coaches.
    Samuel Appiah and Hilda Amankwei, who are respectively from East Legon and Accra described as priceless, the ITF Level 1 coaches certificates they bagged alongside thirty seven other Nigerians in the nine-day course conducted by ITF Instructor, Rotimi Akinloye.
    Appiah, a coach for over ten years, said he can now return to his country with his head high knowing he is now an ITF-certified coach.
    “I have waited for almost eight years to have this course in Ghana but our Federation could not arrange it. It’s a very important course as far as tennis is concerned and I’m very happy to have this certificate. It means I’m not just an ordinary coach but a professional,” he stated.
    Amankwei, a female coach, on her part said the NTF shows that it’s a well-organised and functional body to have the programme which will develop the game further.
    “We are really grateful to the NTF for facilitating this course because we don’t have it in Ghana. We know the value of the course and that is why decided to take advantage of our closeness to Nigeria. The instructor, who incidentally is a Nigerian, is a well-grounded ITF expert.
    “It shows that the NTF is functional and with our experience here it doesn’t came to us a a surprise that Nigeria has been winning the AJC in the region for the past few years and also contributing the highest number of participants from the zone. Some of the Nigerian players have been put through these latest techniques which have been given them advantage.”
    NTF boss, Sani Ndanusa said the programme will hold in more cities across Nigeria in the coming months to get more of the country’s coaches certified by the world tennis governing body.

  • Babalola, Lawal return to Davis cup team

  • Otu, Ifidzhen begin title defence at CBN Tennis Open

    Otu, Ifidzhen begin title defence at CBN Tennis Open

    After the conclusion of the preliminary round of the ongoing 37th Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Open Tennis Championship over the weekend, attention will today shift to the main draw as defending champions, Thomas Otu and Melissa Ifidzhen begin their title defence.

    Over N14m will be at stake at this year’s tournament with all eyes on the men and women singles titles.

    Russian-born Nigerian star, Ifidzhen will surely be the favourite in the women singles having featured in various WTA tournaments this year.

    Also in the men’s singles, Otu, whose performance last year earned him a place in the national team will be hoping to retain the title against but he must wrestle against some of the finest players in the country.

    For the President, Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Sani Ndanusa, the federation would remain grateful to the apex bank for keeping faith with the tournament in this trying times of the economy.

    “At a time when some are struggling to hold on to their sponsorship, the CBN has stayed with the NTF and we are very grateful for having us in their plans,” Ndanusa said.

    danusa who was represented by the NTF Vice President, Yemi Owoseni however, charged the players to give their best as it would afford new players to play their ways into the national team.

    The Men and Women Singles winners will get N750, 000 while the runners up will pocket N500, 000. The champions in the wheel chair event will also get N200, 000.

    Otu and Ifidzhen defeated Moses Michael and Christy Agugbom to claim the titles in 2015 while Alex Adewale subdued Jelili Ishola just as Folake Basanya edged Foluke Shittu to clinch the top prizes in the wheelchair events.

  • 2016 ITF/CAF AJC: Adetunji joins team

    2016 ITF/CAF AJC: Adetunji joins team

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    • Senegal, ITF official arrive for tournament

    Nigeria’s teenage sensation based in South Africa, Adetayo Adetunji will join the rest of the team at their training camp in Abuja on Wednesday just as Senegal becomes the first team to arrive for the 2016 International Tennis Federation (ITF) Africa Junior Championship Zonal Qualifiers holding in Abuja.

    Also today, the ITF Development Officer for West, North & Central Africa who will oversee the tournament on behalf of the world tennis ruling body, Morocco’s Amine Ben Makhlouf will arrive Abuja from his base in Casablanca, Morocco.

    Amine Ben Makhlouf was appointed ITF Development Officer for West, North & Central Africa in September 2005 and he is also the Director of the ITF African Training Centre in Casablanca, Morocco which opened in January 2013.

    Adetunji, who has been honing her skills at her base in Johannesburg in readiness for the tournament will join the 31 players in camp with the final selection of 24 expected to be made public tomorrow at noon.

    According to the national junior coach, Mohammed Ubale, Adetunji would arrive Abuja aboard a South African Airways and he is expected to be received by the officials of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF).

    However, Angel McCleod yesterday left the camp to Enugu for the burial of her late mother which holds tomorrow. The departed mother of McCleod, Beauty was murdered last October by a trigger-happy policeman in Lagos and she will be buried tomorrow in Enugu.

    So far, Ubale said the players in camp have been given their best as every one of them wants to be part of the team. “I must tell you that we have been impressed with the response of the players to training as most of them are in good form. But we are not going to give preferential treatment to any player as everybody has equal chance to make the final list of 24. By noon on Thursday, the final 24-man that will represent Nigeria will be made known for the final phase of training before the kick-off on Saturday January 9,” Ubale admitted.

    Senegal, who has been training in Europe in readiness for the qualifiers are expected in Abuja today while other nations will arrive tomorrow before the kick-off on Saturday