By Abiodun Lawal
The Rock Tennis Foundation on Sunday concluded its 7th annual tennis holiday clinic and youth tournament aimed at grassroot sports development and youth empowerment in Ogun.
The event, which featured Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 boys and girls finals, was held at the newly constructed tennis court at the MKO Abiola Sport Arena in Abeokuta.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the tournament, President of the foundation, Akinyemi Bammeke, said that the initiative had continued to open doors for young Nigerians in the game of tennis.
Bammeke explained that the foundation had introduced between 50 to 100 kids to the basics of tennis, while also running intensive drills for existing players.
He noted that despite challenges in the preparation, the outcome exceeded expectations, especially with the use of the new facility.
“We have introduced between 50 to 100 kids to the basics of tennis, while also running intensive drills for our existing players. For us, this programme is a festival of tennis every year.
“This is the first time we are hosting this clinic in the newly constructed tennis arena built by the Ogun State Government for the last National Sports Festival,” he said.
The president explained that the foundation’s vision was beyond producing talented athletes, saying that the objectives was to take kids off the street and groom them into tennis champions.
“Our objective is to take these kids off the streets and groom them into tennis champions, and also champions in academics, morals and attitude,” he said .
Bammeke revealed that one of the foundation’s U-12 players recently represented Nigeria at an ITF tournament in Ghana.
Also speaking, Acting Director of Sports, Ogun State Sports Council, Oluseyi Sonde, described the tournament as crucial to the state’s sports development agenda.
“I cannot miss this competition because it is very key to us in Ogun state. Tennis has continued to bring laurels to the state,” he said.
One of the organisers, Sunday Enitan, said the tournament was organised as a way of giving back to the society.
Enitan, who also coached in the United States, added, “I recruit from Nigeria so I can help them secure scholarships abroad, where they can combine education with tennis. That is my goal.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the end of the tournament, outstanding young talents were rewarded across categories.
Kimberly Ogundeyi emerged winner of the U-12 girls category, while Adejumobi Ademola won the boys title.
In the U-14 category, Garba Taiwo clinched the boys title and Agu Kehinde won the girls title.
Edited by Yetunde Fatungase
