Exclusive: NTF President Wades Into Oyinlomo’s US Visa Issue
Nigeria Tennis Live can authoritatively report that Engr. ‘Dayo Akindoju, the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) President, has waded into the US visa issue concerning youngster, Oyinlomo Quadre.
In an exclusive chat with our correspondent on Tuesday, the NTF top executive noted that the federation was already aware of the fact that the US Embassy denied the young tennis sensation visa for her participation at the Eddie Herr and Orange Bowl competitions.
He noted that one of the reasons the youngster will be playing the second leg of the Abuja Junior ITF Circuit is for her to reapply for the US visa.
“We are aware of the recent challenges concerning Oyinlomo, that she was denied visa by the US Embassy, and we are on the matter already.
“We asked her to come for the Abuja tournament so that we can see how she will reapply for the visa to travel to US for the competition.
“We understand that the others have already moved to Mexico for an initial two-week competition before they move to the US, so we are working on ensuring that she gets the visa to travel as soon as possible.
“She will get more points and get more match fitness if she plays the Abuja competition, it’s better than just staying at the High Performance Centre in Morocco,” Engr. Akindoju explained to Nigeria Tennis Live.
When asked if Quadre stands a chance of getting the visa at the second try, the NTF President said: “Hopefully, with the steps that have been taken so far, something meaningful should come from this second visit.
“Getting a date for the interview shouldn’t be an issue. All things being equal, she should get her visa this time around.”
The youngster is expected to play her first match at the junior ITF competition on Wednesday, and is expected to win the Grade 5 competition, baring all odds.