Task government on sustainable development.

They were all there. Some of the retired players, who once ruled the Nigerian tennis circuit and journalists, as well as genuine tennis lovers, who do not give up any opportunity to watch good game at the ‘Mecca’ of the country’s tennis, the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

But at the end of the competition, which featured some of the bright lights in the continually dwindling Nigerian tennis horizon on Sunday, October 11, they left the arena wondering what the country would have achieved in the game if the products of the annual NNPC/Chevron Tennis programme were given the right support.

At the final of the championship, Port Harcourt-based Godgift Timibra, 17, defeated John Dickson from Kaduna State in three thrilling sets of 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 to claim the Masters crown on the Lord Rumens Centre Court at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club.

The game was as entertaining, as it was frustrating for those, who know what it takes to be a champion in the ever-changing tennis world.

At 17, Timibra, who came third in the 2014 edition of the competition, would not feature in the Chevron programme again. By next year, he would be ‘too old’ to compete in the NNPC/Chevron-sponsored tournament managed by Prime Sports, owned by the former captain of the Nigerian cricket team and past President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Mr. Chris Enahoro.

The competition, according to the organisers, is a grassroots development programme, which discovers, trains and equips the youth in competitive tennis before releasing them to the senior circuit. But the frustration is in seeing these promising youngsters’ development stalled by the inability of an uncaring society to lift them one notch to the standard required to compete successfully in the international circuit.

In some societies, such outstanding young talents as Timibra, Dickson, the amazing Oyinlomo Quadre and Marylove Edwards would get the type of support enjoyed by their peers in Europe and the Americas. But like those before them, the junior champions may end up retiring as West African kings if they did not get the support needed to move their game to the highest level.

Looking at the quality of young talents that featured in the competition this year, Daily Times’ Sports Editor, Andrew Ekejiuba, who followed the NNPC/Chevron Tennis programme from the holiday clinic to the Junior Masters Championship, could not hide his dismay at the attitude of the government to the development of the game.

“Every year, the sponsors of this championship spend so much money and time to nurture these children to become good tennis players. I can count the large number of talents who have come out of this programme, but it is unfortunate that the society has no plan to take them to the next level.
“In some other societies, these children would be eligible for tennis scholarship so that at the end of their stay in the juniors, they will move up to the seniors to compete in the circuit.

“It is unfortunate that a country that produced the likes of Nduka Odizor, David Imonitie, Tony Mmoh and Sadiq Abdullahi, among others, is now so backward that it is in the fourth level of the Davis Cup.”

Ekejiuba advocated that government should set up plans that would ensure the products of such programmes as the NNPC/Chevron project get the necessary support to graduate to the international circuit.”

While Ekejiuba wants the government to create avenues for the products of the NNPC/Chevron programme to move to the higher level, he is against any plan by the Lagos State government to partner with the sponsors of the project or any other academy.

He said, “Lagos State will serve Nigerian tennis better if it incorporated an academy in its Governor’s Cup programme. That way, they will help young Nigerians to compete favourably with their foreign counterparts in the annual competition, which has become a hunting ground for points seeking foreigners.

“I will advise them to think deeply of starting an academy that will harness the talents in the local councils since they have grassroots sports development officers in all the councils.”

Suggesting ways of ensuring that products of the NNPC/Chevron programme continued to progress in the game on leaving the project, a former official of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour, Chief Ben Ezeibe, advised the organisers to make it one of the ITF Junior tournaments in the continent.

He said: “This can be achieved through a partnership with the Nigeria Tennis Federation with the programme coordinator, Chris Enahoro, as the tournament director.

“He has done so much for our youths but there must be progression for these players and the sponsors, who will be delighted when the tournament becomes an ITF certified junior ranking tournament in Africa.”

Earlier in his address at the closing ceremony of the championship, the Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Clay Neff, lauded his company’s strong partnership with Prime Sports International, as a strong catalyst for tennis development in the country.

Neff said, “We are motivated to make these social investments because of our belief in giving our youths a future to live for and a cause to dream. The future of Nigeria belongs to the youths and as one of the corporate bodies responsible for the key resources of our country, we are convinced that investments in the youths are not only priceless, but also noble and inspiring.

“We are happy and proud to have been part of the good things accomplished till date in this championship, which has grown to become the brightest hope for the future of tennis in our country. Beyond just competing against each other, the Junior Masters allows the youths of our nation to forge bonds of friendships that would enable them to share ideas, and work together in building the nation of their dreams.”

Group General Manager, NAPIMS, Dafe Stephen Sejebor, whose outfit co-sponsors the championship, disclosed that the programme is a laudable pursuit and a worthy investment that would benefit the youths, develop their physical fitness and stimulate their instincts for healthy competition.

“The aim of the Junior Masters is the discovery and nurturing of future tennis players and champions. I am sure that you will agree with me that we are making steady progress with every tournament.

“Keen followers of sports would readily attest to the pivotal role of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture in the sponsorship of Tennis competitions that would significantly improve Nigeria’s reputation in the global sporting arena.”