Ondo State Open Gets Underway In Akure

The 2010 edition of Ondo State National Tennis Open Championship commenced in Akure  yesterday.

The tournament was earlier scheduled to hold from 10-18 September, but has to be postponed  till this week due to logistic reasons.

According to the Secretary of Ondo State Tennis Association, Princess Jokotade Ojuolape,  yesterday served as  arrival day for the officials and players as well as for the  registration of participating players. Today, the tournament will begin proper with 16  players drawn in the women’s event, while the men’s category has 16 players.

“I’m happy to say that the 2010 Ondo State National Open has finally served off in Akure.  The tournament will be played on the two renovated courts inside the Akure Township Stadium,  while all logistics needed for a successful competition have been put in place,” said  Princess Ojuolape.

“The tourney is an invitational competition, but it is surprising that some of the players  we did not invite came to Akure begging  to be given an opportunity to play. Our hands are  tight because we only made  provision for 48 players on the draws,” she said.

She said the government of Governor Olusegun Mimiko has given the association t the  necessary support to stage a memorable tournament which will end on 18 September.

“There are  handsome prize monies  for the winners. The sum of N200, 000 will go to the  winner in the Men’s Singles, while the winner in the Women’s Singles will take home the sum  of N150, 000,” said Princess Ojuolape.

She, however, noted that the state is expecting three of her  players, Lanre Alayaki,  Owolabi Idowu and Tosin Ogundele, to make a good impact in the weeklong competition.

Speaking on the championship, Secretary General of NTF, Nkana Mbora, said  the federation  used the national rankings to seed  participating players. She assured that the NTF’s  technical staff  are on ground to assist in the smooth organisation of the competition.