NTF laments McLeod’s killing
The Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) has expressed shock over the killing of Beauty McLeod, a Nigerian tennis player on Monday.
The 36-year-old, who alongside her daughter Angel, 14, moved to Nigeria from their base in Dubai last year, died of gunshot injuries she sustained from a triggerhappy mobile policeman in a Victoria Island, Lagos hotel on Tuesday during an altercation. It calls for the prosecution of the killer cop.
Beauty’s demise is the latest in the series of deaths recorded in Nigerian tennis in recent months following the demise of another player, Glady’s O’Malley, who gave up the ghost after child birth while Cosmos Ntemuse, a referee also died recently.
“This is a very dark period for Nigerian tennis because Beauty is one player that has been helping in the development of Nigerian tennis through the support she has been giving to her daughter, Angel, who is one of our brightest junior tennis players. We are deeply shocked by her death” NTF boss Sani Ndanusa said.
“Beauty has been a clear example of NTF’s crusade of parents’ support for their kid(s) in tennis; something that has helped the top stars of tennis globally. She takes responsibilities for the career of her daughter following her to tournaments within and outside Nigeria which has really helped her to become one of the most promising junior players in Africa.
“Besides, she is known as a straightforward person and only God knows why her life was cut short this way. However, we are sure that her killer will be brought to justice,” Ndanusa lamented, as he prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul while he also prayed for her family the fortitude to bear the loss.
In August, Beauty accompanied four Nigerian players, including Angel, to the West African Junior tennis Championship in Lome, Togo. She was also with her daughter when she went for a month-long ITF scholarship training in Nairobi, Kenya in June.
Head coach of the Nigeria junior tennis team, Mohammed Ubale, noted that the vacuum created by Beauty’s demise will be felt by Nigerian tennis.
“She was everything to her Angel; she is her mother, she is her coach, and she serves as a great motivation to her. She will be missed by all.
Still an active tennis player, Beauty regularly featured in national tournaments across Nigeria. She took part alongside her daughter at this year’s Central Bank of Nigeria Open, the biggest domestic tournament in the NTF calendar.