3rd December, 2014
Damilare Okunola/Abuja
Contrary to reports on P.M.NEWS yesterday, indicating that some players were gambling at the players’ lounge after losing their matches, the tennis players have stated succinctly that they were not gambling.
Our correspondent monitoring the ongoing National Ports Authority, NPA National Open in Abuja had reported that the players were gambling after losing their preliminary and first round matches in the tournament.
But, further findings have revealed that the players were bored after losing their matches and were looking for a means of relaxing themselves, hence their resolve to embark on the cards’ game.
Kayode, who was quoted to have borrowed money countless times following successive losses, stated categorically that, “I lost my matches, how would I have paid back if I was actually borrowing money to gamble? I only asked a few guys to help me raise transport fare back to Lagos since I did not make as much money.
“I did not gamble there, we were all catching fun while playing the cards. It was a great experience for us and we all do this from time to time when we are less busy with our game.”
One of the players’ representatives also confirmed the players’ stand on the issue, stating that they were in the players’ lounge, relaxing before the pictures were taken and the story, written.
The dark-skinned tennis player explained that, “those guys whose pictures you took were just playing to catch their fun, I cannot explain why you (P.M. News) reported that they were gambling. Or is it a crime for the players to relax after playing a game of tennis under a hot atmosphere?
“Please, be sure of stories before publishing them so that you don’t put yourself in trouble with unconfirmed reports.”
The players, whose pictures appeared in the story, also stated angrily that it was a misconstrued report by the correspondent since they were just taking a time out after their tennis matches.
The ongoing NPA Tennis Open will end on Saturday, 6 December, 2014 inside the Package B arena of the National Stadium, Abuja.