By Àmaechi Agbo
No fewer than sixty four professional tennis players from twenty five countries across the globe registered for Tombim international tennis championship which commenced Saturday 14th April, 2018 at the Tennis court Package B, National stadium Abuja.
The championship organised by International Tennis Federation, ITF as an entry level for professional tennis players. It is the biggest tennis tourney in Africa has twelve Nigerians registered where three of them have already qualified for the main draw.
Speaking after Day Two of the tourney, the tournament director, Dr. Ikani Agabi said:
“This championship is an International Tennis Federation features, a professional tournament basically an entry level for those who wants to play professional tennis. Tennis players from 25 countries around the world like the USA, France, Brasil, Russia, Venezuela, Gambia, Namibia among others registered to be part of this important competition.
“We have over 60 tennis players across the globe present here , 32 of them will play in the qualifying series while other 32 will join them in the main draw slated for next week.”
“The cash prize for the eventual winner is $25,000 but most importantly is the 35 points garnered by the champions which rate the him among the best 500 tennis players in the world.” He continues.
“The three weeks championship will expose Nigerian tennis players to international tennis rules and regulations as well as players around the world. It is always difficult for our players to participate in international tournaments due lack of sponsors.
However, this will help rate them and improve their game as international officials who apply latest rules handle the games.” He concluded.
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