Nigeria’s apex financial institution, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has expressed excitement at the level of progress it has made since it began its sponsorship of junior tournaments in the country about nine years ago.
This was contained in a speech by Ibrahim Mu’azu, Director, Corporate Communications Department of the CBN, who was represented by Isaac Okoroafor during the press briefing to officially announce the commencement of this year’s CBN Junior Tennis Circuit at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, LLTC, Onikan, Lagos on Friday, 17 April, 2015.
Mr. Okoroafor, who also expressed the CBN’s delight at sponsoring the event every year since inception, also hailed the diligence of Mr. Godwin Kienka, whose International Tennis Academy, ITA, is the organiser of the annual event.
 |
| Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s representative during the press briefing to herald the 9th CBN Junior Championship at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos on Friday, 17 April, 2015. |
“I am pleased to inform you that the Junior Tennis Championship has become an important event of the International Tennis Academy since its inception in 2007.
“The management of the bank has noted with satisfaction, the steady development and success recorded in the Championship as players from the CBN Junior Circuit have always represented Nigeria in the African Junior Championships and other international competitions.
“They are already challenging the senior players in the senior CBN Senior Tennis Open Championship. It is worthy to note that in the senior rankings of 2014, we had six players who have gone through this circuit in the top 12.
“They are as follows: Thomas Otu (No.3), Emmanuel Idoko (No. 4), Joseph Imeh (No. 6), Sylvester Emmanuel (No. 8), Michael Moses (No. 11) and Sunday Emmanuel (No. 12),” he stated.
The representative of the CBN head also hailed the contribution of the LLTC, principal host of the tournament, for its hospitality and relentless efforts in ensuring that Nigerian tennis is played with the best facilities available in the country.
While reaffirming its commitment to the continued sponsorship of the junior championship, the CBN noted that it shall continue to do its best for the promotion and development of the racket game in Nigeria.
