Tennis Federation, TMCL plan N10m prize majors

T@josh_flexy

he Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) and the Tennis Management Company Limited (TMCL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to stage two major tennis tournaments in Nigeria this year.

Disclosing this at the MoU signing ceremony at the Abuja National Stadium yesterday, the NTF President, Ifedayo Akindoju said the majors will hold in Abuja and Lagos in June and October or November respectively.

He disclosed that the winners in the singles category of the tournaments will go home with a prize money of N10 million, adding that “the highest Prize money we have had is N1 million.”

“We are raising it high now to make it attractive and encourage people to the game because we know what happens in football where much money is involved.”

He said the Majors will be open tournaments with athletes from 14 years and above qualified to participate.

Akindoju also disclosed that the tournaments will only be open to Nigerians both home and abroad.

Also speaking before the signing of the agreement, Chairman of the TMCL, Anire Kanyi said “we are here to raise the bar of tennis in Nigeria because we believe Nigeria has the talent.”

“We also believe that people who put their energy into the game should be rewarded,” he added.

Kanyi said the tour may be increased after this year to other cities of the country.