Boko Haram: Tennis Players To Boycott Kano Tournament

Segun Toriola of Nigeria serves to Jorge

Segun Toriola

Damilare Okunola/Abuja

Following the recent bombings and unrest in Kano, northern Nigeria, an appreciable number of players have vowed not to attend this year’s Dala Hard Court Tourney taking place in Kano next week, P.M.NEWS Sports can reliably inform.

The players, competing at the ongoing National Ports Authority, NPA National Tennis Open in Abuja had begun the contemplation among themselves and were pessimistic about their participation in the week-long event.

While many of them were still skeptical about their attendance, some were already certain that they would return to their various destinations after their exit from the NPA Open for fear of being bombed by Boko Haram.

Albert Bikom, one of the fine players around, was telling his friends that, “I may not attend the Dala tournament. Who will kill himself because of some money that will expire in a short while? I am still doubting my attendance, really.”

Also speaking about his non-participation at the First Bank-sponsored National Tourney is Kayode Olawolu from Lagos, who noted that he would not risk being bombed by the insurgents.

“Bros, I’m not going to Kano o, I cannot allow myself to be bombed by Boko Haram. After our stay here, I shall be returning to Lagos to continue with my tennis.

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“If it were some other time, I would have loved to go but with this present situation, I do not seem myself in that part of this country, not at the moment,” he said amid smiles.

Another player disclosed that she would not attend the tournament even for five million naira.

The Abuja-based player simply identified as Imabong, confided in our correspondent, noting that, “my dear, nothing will take me to Kano for the tournament, not even for five million naira.

“The rate at which the insurgents are slaughtering people in the country now is quite overwhelming. Not even with the primaries taking place in virtually every part of the country. I honestly would not risk attending the tournament for anything.”

The top players have, however, resolved to attend the tournament, majorly because their ranking points are at stake and the fact that they want to remain fit towards the end of the year.

Lawal Shehu, Nonso Madueke, Ronke Akingbade, Clifford Enosoregbe, Sarah Adegoke are among players who have confirmed their participation in the Dala tourney.

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