NCC Tennis League: Strict rules for ITF certified umpires

Organisers of the Nigeria Communications Commission’s (NCC) Tennis League have revealed that 10 International Tennis Federation (ITF) certified umpires have been earmarked for the inaugural edition of the competition, which is offering N5 million to the winning team.

The listed umpires are Arinola Isa, Aisha Hirse, Kehinde Ijaola, Duke Onojeide, Kosmos Ntemuse and Bitrus Danjuma.

Others are Hudu Sambo, Martina Ebijimi, Muazu Usman and Kayode Alabi. Two senior white badge officials – Sunday Samuel and Henry Ubochi – were left out because they are team coaches, they said.

A statement from the International Tennis Academy (ITA), organisers of the tennis league, said the umpires would be under a very strict code of conduct.

“For instance, they will not be allowed to accept free drinks or food from host and visiting team officials, players and supporters. They will also be forbidden to speak a language that only one team and its officials understand at the tournament site.

“The officials will be well provided for and we want the officiating to be as professional and as transparently fair as is possible because there is so much at stake,” the statement said.

The NCC Tennis League is featuring eight teams balloted into two groups for the round robin stage. The Blue Group will feature the Civil Defence Team based in Owerri, Team Delta hosting in Asaba, Team Tombim based in Abuja and Team Anambra playing out of Onitsha.

The White Group has Team Kalotari of Port Harcourt, Team FCT based in Abuja, Team Ogun from Abeokuta and the CBN Futures Team based in Kaduna.

The two top teams from the round robin playoffs will qualify for the semifinals.

Preceding the round robin playoffs will be the NCC Challenge between players based in the North and those in the South. The challenge planned to hold at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club will serve to give a foretaste of the league and promote unity in the country.