Why Nigerian Players Flopped —Emmanuel
Top tennis player, Sunday Emmanuel has explained reasons behind the poor run of Nigerian players in the ongoing 10th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship sponsored by Etisalat and FCMB Plc.
Emmanuel lost 5-7, 4-6 to Boy Westerhof of Holland in the first round of the first leg at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan on Tuesday.
After the match, he said Nigerians should not expect much from the local players, adding that lack of regular competitions and exposure were responsible for their failure in the championship.
“I am not surprised about the poor performance of Nigerian players in the championship. The foreign players are technically better than Nigerians here. So, I think this is the time our players should play international competitions regularly if we want to compete with foreign players,†he said.
Commenting on his performance against Westerhof, he said his opponent was better and deserved to beat him. He promised to do better in his next game.
“It was a good game for me but the better player won,†Emmanuel said.
Meanwhile, one of the Nigerian ladies, Oluwaseun Ogundare, who crashed out in the first round of the Main Draws said she tried her best.
Ogundare lost to another Nigerian player, Samuel Blessing 6-1, 4-6, 5-7 in the first round.
Ogundare/Beauty Oghenekwe lost to Dalila Jakupovic of Slovakia 0-6, 0-6 in women’s double in the first round.
Ogundare said she came to the tournament without adequate preparation, adding that she had learnt a big lesson in the championship.
“People should not blame me for my failure. I did my best but my best was not enough to carry me to the next stage. I came to this championship without any sponsor. I even borrowed money to register for the tourney,†said Ogundare who is studying Botany at Olabisi Onabanjo University.
She said Nigerian players can do well in international meets if there is adequate preparation and regular competitions for the players.
“There is no much attention on tennis in Nigeria unlike football, basketball and athletics. It will take the grace of God for Nigerian players to go far in the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis,†said Ogundare who wants a sponsor to help her in her chosen career.
—By Sunday Akintoye
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