4th November, 2010
National tennis player Abamu George told Jolaolu Moyosore in an interview that he and his colleagues, who will play at the Aba Open beginning next Wednesday, are not scared of kidnappers in the city
What is your opinion on the performance of the Nigerian players at the just concluded 10th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship?
The players cannot be blamed for their poor performance in the championship. They are my colleagues and I know the challenges they are facing. If our players have the exposure and experience like the foreigners, they would have performed better than they did. Also, private organisations do not support Nigerian tennis as they do for football.
What do you think is responsible for the dwindling fortune of the game in Nigeria?
Tennis is not getting enough attention that will let many appreciate the game here. The government and corporate bodies in Nigeria are not doing enough to support the game unlike football and a few other sports. Dearth of tournaments is also affecting the players. Apart from the CBN Open, no other major local championship is organised in the country.
The Aba Open serves off next week Wednesday, how prepared are you?
I’m preparing hard. I know the challenges will be tasking, but I hope to win.
Are you going to Aba on the bill of a sponsor?
No, I’m sponsoring myself to the competition. It’s not easy to get sponsors. This has made it very difficult for the local players to feature in tournaments home and abroad because tennis is an expensive sport.
You are aware that kidnappers are on the rampage in Aba, are you not afriad of your safety?
I am not scared of kidnappers because I have no business with them and they have no business with me. My colleagues and I will be in Aba to play our games, entertain tennis lovers and fight for the trophy.
Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2010 P.M.News