The Nigerian camp for the fast-approaching Davis Cup World Group II playoffs against Uzbekistan has lauded the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) over the prompt payment of their allowances, reports nigeriatennislive.com.
 
The eight players led by Coach Benson Ishicheli formally kicked off preparations for the competition on January 21 at the tennis section of the National Stadium, Lagos.
 
After one of those training sessions, the players, drawn from Abuja, Enugu and Lagos, detailed how the federation has treated them since the camp was opened last week.
 
Uche Oparaoji, who is about the most experienced player in the team, noted that the camping has been quite different from his previous experiences, stating specifically that the players have been particularly happy with the welfare package for them.
 
“Have you not noticed that the boys look very happy and excited to come around every single day?” Oparaoji began, while speaking on behalf of the boys. “It’s because of how the NTF has handled the welfare of the players. We were given proper feeding allowance for the ten-day camping period, as well as a really nice hotel.
 
“We also got paid our transport fare from our respective destinations to Lagos, which is a really nice gesture by the Federation,” the former Nigerian number one player, fondly called Lefty, said.
 
Also speaking on the preparations, Coach Benson was full of accolades for the NTF, describing the latest development as a very encouraging way to start for the new board of the NTF.
 
According to him: “I recommended that all the players get new shoes for training, and the federation bought new shoes for all of them for this camping period. It is actually very commendable and impressive.
 
“Like the players, I have also gotten my feeding allowance, and I have been staying at the hotel designated for the team since we started this camping.
 
“It is, hopefully, a sign of really good things to come for the new board of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, and a good way to encourage the players to give their best on the court when called upon”.
 
The Nigerian team (ranked 74) will be hoping to defeat Uzbekistan, ranked 49 in the world, when both countries meet on the centre court of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos, on February 7 and 8.
 
Coach Benson is expected to release the final list of players by Monday, ahead of the arrival of the team from Uzbekistan.