Djokovic Beat Troicki At Adria Tour
FORMER International, Nduka Ugbade, has applauded the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare for redefining sports administration in the country, saying that his desire to renovate all the national stadia across the country is timely and commendable.
The Abuja Stadium was on Friday rechristened Moshood Abiola National Stadium, and it is hoped that the edifice would be made available during international games, together with other national stadia across the country also marked for renovation by the sports ministry.
Speaking to The Guardian yesterday, Ugbade stated that the foresight of the minister as regards the national stadia, which have been left unused, is a welcome development and capable of launching the nation back to it glory .
“Dare has done a great job since he was appointed Sports Minister considering his vision and numerous plans for sports development in the country.
“For the first time we have a minister who has brought succour to the families of late Internationals, who served the country well before their demise,” he said, adding that what he is doing now would only be appreciated in years to come.
“It is good we return to playing our International matches at the national stadia for identity. These stadia can also serve as home ground for clubs involved in the Confederation of African Football ( CAF) competitions because of the standard of the facilities.
“Although, I know that some players shy away from playing their games at the National Stadium due to the pressure arising from the huge crowd in attendance during matches, especially when fans expect their national team to win convincingly.
“But the fear of the players should not deny us the atmosphere, fun and passion during games where the fans expect a win for pride and glory. I think bringing back the memory of the past is what the Sports Minister is trying to do in our sporting lives. We cannot afford to wait again before the days of glory of Nigerian sports is restored,” he stated.
WORLD number one, Novak Djokovic won his opening match of the Adria Tour, as elite men’s tennis returned for the first time since being suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Serb, 33, cruised past compatriot Viktor Troicki 4- 1 4- 1 in Belgrade in just 34 minutes.
Djokovic set up the tournament to help players get back to match fitness after several weeks of no competition.
The cross- Balkan event has a reduced match format and is open to spectators.
Djokovic, a 17- time Grand
Slam singles champion, will next face Serbian Filip Krajinovic, 28, who lost to German world number seven, Alexander Zverev, 23, 0- 4 4- 3 4- 3 in the four- man group’s other game.
Earlier, Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, 29, battled to a 41 3- 4 4- 1 victory over Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic, 29.
In their group’s second game, Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur, 28, retired through injury at 2- 0 down in the opening set against world number three Dominic Thiem, 26, of Austria. Serbian world number 145 Nikola Milojevic will replace Dzumhur in the evening session.
The regular ATP Tour has been suspended till July 31.
Matches are best of three sets, with a player needing to win four games instead of six in each set, and a tiebreak coming at 3- 3.
There is no ‘ advantage’ played following deuce, instead the game is decided on a ‘ sudden- death’ point.