Engr. Ifedayo Akindoju, the President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), has announced an increase in prize money for the first, second and third rounds of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Open.
The NTF President made this disclosure after a Press Conference to announce the commencement of the 42nd edition of the tournament, on Thursday, 5 November, in Abuja.
According to Engr. Akindoju, the money given to players who lose at those stages of the competition was too meagre and inconsequential, hence the announcement of an increase.
For the first, second and third rounds, Nigeria Tennis Live gathered that players used to get about N20,000, N30,000 and N40,000 respectively before tax.
But the new breakdown shows a significant in the prize money for each of the rounds as explained by the NTF President.
In a chat with our correspondent on Thursday evening, Engr. Akindoju said: “We are grateful to the CBN for sponsoring this event for 42 consecutive years, it is no mean feat.
“As you already know, the preliminary stage starts on Friday and we already have about 128 players for that stage alone. The draws are being prepared as we speak.”
Asked if the CBN announced any increase in prize money for this year’s competition, he noted that we should be thankful that they agreed to sponsor this event in spite of the Covid19 pandemic.
He stated, however, that “I only announced an increment in the prize money for the first, second and third rounds.
“For the first round, the prize money is now N35,000; the second round is N50,000 while the third round losers will get N75,000 for both Women’s and Men’s Singles.”
This piece of news is sure to excite tennis players who will be playing their first national tournament in 2020, in the wake of the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic.
The CBN Open Women and Men Singles were last won by Oyinlomo Quadre and Sylvester Emmanuel.
As earlier reported, the Main Draw serves off on Monday, 9 November, and will climax on Saturday, 14 November inside the Tennis Section of the National Stadium, Abuja.
Nigeria Tennis Live will ensure proper coverage of the tournament which will feature the best tennis players in the country.