Nigeria’s tennis prodigy, Sylvester Emmanuel, has landed in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal territory, ahead of the much awaited ITF Futures in the country, Naija Tennis Special can authoritatively report.
The Barcelona, Spain-based tennis star took to his Instagram handle to announce his arrival which was met with joy by his teeming fans.
The three ITF Futures Championships namely Tombim Abuja Open, Dayak Tennis Championship, and GSL Open, will hold at the National Stadium, Abuja, from 1-21 May, 2017.
According to the organizers, the coming on board of GSL Open, increases the number of ITF Futures in Nigeria to four; three of which is in Abuja while the Lagos Governor’s Cup completes the country’s presence on the ITF Calendar.
It’s the third successive year that the number of ITF Futures tournament in Nigeria is increasing as the Tombim Abuja Open is in its third straight year, while the Dayak Championship would be marking its second edition.
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| Sylvester Emmanuel on arrival from Spain ahead of the ITF Futures. |
“We are pleased to say that this objective has been partially fulfilled as Gladiator Systems Limited, impressed by the success of the Tombim and Dayak championships last year, has decided to join the list of sponsors by sponsoring the GSL Open,” tournament director, Ikani Agabi stated, adding the objective is to have as many as 10 ITF Futures tournaments in Nigeria in the next few years.
The Tombim Abuja Open holds from 1-6 May while the Dayak Championship will run from 8-13 May.
The GSL Open will round off a seemingly tennis festival from 13-21 May with each of the tournament has a $25, 000.00 prize-money while the competition has 35 ATP points up for grabs for each week.
The winner of all three legs has the potential to jump from not being ranked at all in the world, to being ranked in the top 500 in the world.
Entries have been received from Russia, the United States, Uzbekistan Brazil, India, Argentina, South Africa, Croatia, Spain, Zimbabwe, Canada, Uganda, Togo, France, Moldova, Ghana, Zambia, Germany, the UK and a host of other countries.
“The competition is borne out of a desire to provide opportunities for Nigerian Players to collect vital ATP points, and to attract some of the best up-and- coming players in the world to play in Nigeria.
“The organizers also want to use the competition to show that Nigeria is not as bad as it is portrayed around the world. We are honest, hardworking, friendly and peace loving people, who are very hospitable to foreigners,” Agabi added.