100 kids participate in 2nd HST Academy Tennis Invitational

More than 100 kids from 20 schools took part in the second edition of the HST Academy Inter-School Tennis Championship, which concluded on Friday at the tennis section of the Italian International School in Lekki, Lagos.

This developmental tournament was designed for pupils and students from private schools within and outside Lekki, featuring competitions in green, orange, and red ball events. The goal of the tournament is to promote tennis at the school level and introduce kids to the fundamentals of the game.

HST Academy also aims to encourage young players to embrace tennis through this annual event

Henry Shedrack, the convener of the HST Academy, reaffirmed the academy’s commitment to developing players who can represent Nigeria in international championships in the future.

He called for increased investment in infrastructure and developmental programs to aid talent discovery in schools. Shedrack noted that HST Academy plans to expand tennis initiatives across various states with the support of sponsors.

“We are trying to introduce tennis in as many schools as possible. Even if a school does not have a tennis court, we offer a mini-court that can be set up as long as there’s enough space

“Your school could then be recognized as a place that develops tennis players,” he said.

The inaugural tournament held in November 2023 also attracted participation from numerous schools across Lagos State, creating a competitive and entertaining atmosphere.

To ensure that children interested in other sports are not left out, the organisers also introduced football and swimming. Winning schools were awarded trophies at the end of the one-day event.

Parents also praised the organisers of the competition, highlighting its positive impact on children’s social and mental development.