76 Kids Storm Governor’s Cup For Clinic

•One of the kids, Reya Holmes at the clinic yesterday. Photo…  Emmanuel Osodi

•One of the kids, Reya Holmes at the clinic yesterday. Photo... Emmanuel Osodi

Now fewer than 76 kids were on ground yesterday morning to take part in the first ever clinic for U-10 and U-14 players at the 13th edition of Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship.

The clinic was organised by the Local Organising Committee, LOC, as part of efforts to expose Nigerian kids to the rudiments of tennis. Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan was a beehive of activities as the International Tennis Federation, ITF-certified coaches took the kids on fitness training sessions, how to serve and firsthand knowledge on how to play tennis. The coaches are Uzor Okiti, Peter Osagie, Sunday Igbinovia, Henry Shedrach, Seun Olawunmi, Margaret Olagundoye and Dipo Ewetuga.

One of the coaches, Okiti said the kids would be taught how to hold the rackets and how to serve.

“We’ll also look out for their fore and backhands to ascertain how well they can use them. At the end of the four days exercise, we will look out for the very best and these ones will be monitored as much as possible to get the best out of them and groom them to become world champions,” he said.

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The Coordinator, Mr. Wale Oke said: “This is a project which will come up alongside the Governor’s Cup every year and as time goes on, the next top stars of this country will come from the clinic.”

Tournament Director, Prince Wale Oladunjoye said the clinic was initiated as a result of local players’ continuous ‘not-too-impressive’ performance during the Governor’s Cup, adding that “the initiative came as a result of our love for the country’s tennis. It has been so disheartening to see some of our players performing below expectations over the years.

“These young ones will be trained appropriately and nurtured in the best possible way to ensure that they come out tops in no distant future.”

—Damilare Okunola

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