By Ikenna Osuoha
Abuja – Saidu Alfa, a national tennis umpire on Friday called for the introduction of national tennis competitions for primary and secondary schools in the country.
Alfa said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the move would lay solid foundation for the growth of the sport in Nigeria.
He stressed that grassroots development of the sport through mentorship was key to the domineering status of countries like the U.S. and others in the world of tennis.
“Our youths must be introduced to the game right from their schools to build an undying passion in them for posterity sake.”
The also called for provision of facilities at the grassroots and a strong and credible administration to push tennis to greater heights.
“Everything is possible with tennis when the right people are put in place and an enabling environment created by government,’’Alfa said.
The national umpire, who outlined his vision for tennis in Nigeria, harped on the need for the country to galvanise the sport.
He noted that the game, if given the required attention, had the potential of generating income for the nation and athletes.