For about 16 to 18 years, one name which has consistently ringed a bell in the ears of Nigerian tennis players and enthusiasts is Engr. Sani Ndanusa, the president of the country’s tennis federation, but that will change soon!
During his time in office, so many changes have been experienced by both players, coaches and officials. While some are always ready to speak about the negative ones, some others will not forget some of the dark-complexioned Alhaji’s legacies.
 |
| Engr. Sani Ndanusa looking ahead of the NTF presidency. |
More than ever, the plight of an average tennis player was said to have nosedived during this period as a result of dearth of national and international tournaments in the country.
Players who were growing were beginning to wane, those who were established could not go further while those who were beginning to have interest in the racquet game suddenly lost interest as tennis lost its glory in Nigeria.
From having Africa’s number one player in wheelchair tennis, Nigeria dropped to not having any player on the ranking and even lost out on opportunities to play international tournaments in the physically-challenged people’s sport.
But all of these may soon be a thing of the past as the former Sports Minister will take a bow and just sit in the background to watch a new set of gladiators steer the ship of tennis in Nigeria.
Although many of the players left the country in search of greener pastures or better fortunes abroad, many of them are still ardent followers of the sport on the home front and always want to give back to the society that made them who they have become.
And on June 13, 2017, a new set of executives would be elected to handle the affairs of tennis in Nigeria, an election which will be keenly contested amongst three gladiators; former Vice President, Yemi Owoseni; Dayo Akindoju, sponsor of the Dayak Tennis Championship and Godwin Kienka, a strong tennis facilitator in Nigeria and beyond.
But who will win this race to hold this much coveted post in a few days’ time?
Naija Tennis Special will bring you special interviews with each of the contesters in a countdown to the elections.
