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| Spain’s Enrique Lopez-Perez (right), receives his trophy from Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State during the 2012 edition of the annual ITF Futures |
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| Borna Coric of Croatia, receives his trophy from a representative of Etisalat Nigeria during the first leg of 2013 edition of the Championship. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi |
The management of Lagos Lawn Tennis Club (LLTC), Onikan has declared that the club is ever ready to play host to the Abridged Invitational Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship, which will take place from 17-22 November.
The club has been the home of Governor’s Cup since it began 14 years ago and President of the club, Barrister Sam Egbuchunam, told Naija Tennis Special that members of the club are looking forward to hosting the tournament, which has been designed this year purposely for African players. Egbuchunam expressed the readiness of the club to host the tournament despite the short notice.
“We are always ready to host any tournament here because our facilities are ready-made. We recently hosted the SNEPCo tournament, the Chevron tournament is underway here as well, and the Governor’s Cup will be hosted by our club.
“The only thing we need to put in place is the resurfacing of the courts to give the lush green face. Apart from that, everything is in place for the successful hosting of the Abridged Championship here. There’s really nothing to worry about as far as hosting is concerned,” the LLTC boss said.
Meanwhile, barely a month before the commencement of the Governor’s Cup, some Nigerian players have claimed that they are yet to be informed about the tournament.
The players disclosed that they were hearing about the abridged Governor’s Cup for the first time since it was not listed on the ITF website.
Nigeria’s number one player, Clifford Enosoregbe, noted that while he had heard about the rescheduled tournament, he thought of it as a rumour as he had not been
“I heard someone talk about it briefly but I disregarded it, with the mindset that it was a clear rumour since nobody called or sent invitation to me regarding the event. It was not listed on the ITF website, so I did not take it serious.
“If it will hold as you have just told me, I want to believe that it will not be the regular Futures 1 & 2. I will begin preparation towards the tournament to ensure that I come out tops in the championship since we will not have many other foreigners in attendance,” the Dala 2013 Championship winner said.
Speaking also in the same vein, Abdulmumuni Babalola said: “I will call the President of Nigeria Tennis Federation, Sani Ndanusa right away to confirm the date for the event to begin preparations.”
informed officially.