By Andrew Abah
The Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has concluded arrangements for the 47th edition of the prestigious CBN National Open Tennis Championship, with preliminary matches already underway at the Tennis Courts of Package B, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The championship, one of Nigeria's longest-running tennis competitions, will officially enter its main stage on Monday, featuring contests in men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, as well as wheelchair tennis events for both men and women.
Top Nigerian tennis players are expected to compete for honours, including defending men's singles champion Emmanuel Michael and reigning women's singles champion Adesuwa Osabuohien, who will be aiming to retain their respective titles.
The tournament follows the successful hosting of the ITF J30 Junior Circuit Tournament in Abuja, which brought together young tennis talents from 14 countries across the world over a two-week period.
President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, commended the various stakeholders whose support contributed to the success of the international junior championship.
He specifically appreciated the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, for their commitment to the growth and development of tennis in Nigeria.
According to Ochei, the federation remains determined to sustain the standards and values demonstrated during the ITF J30 Junior Circuit Tournament while ensuring that the CBN National Open Championship continues to serve as a platform for discovering and nurturing future tennis stars.
He expressed confidence that the federation's developmental programmes would further strengthen Nigeria's tennis ecosystem and provide local players with opportunities to compete and excel at both national and international levels.
The recently concluded ITF J30 Junior Circuit Tournament attracted participants from countries including Nigeria, the United States, UK, China, Canada, Cameroon, Liberia, India, Togo, Benin Republic, France, Sri Lanka and Lithuania, among others.
Defending champion, Nigeria's Success Ogunjobi emerged as the standout performer in the girls' singles category, defeating a strong international field to claim the title, while China's Chui Hengzhi won the boys' singles championship.
With the successful hosting of the international junior event still fresh in memory, expectations are high that the 47th CBN National Open Championship will further consolidate Nigeria's reputation as a growing hub for tennis development and competitive excellence in Africa.