About three months ago, Engr. Dayo Akindoju was elected into the board of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), as the new president of the federation, alongside other members.
While his election came as a surprise to some tennis observers in the country, others noted that the tennis aficionado was rightly elected to man the border of tennis administration in Nigeria for the next four years, at least.
Some tennis enthusiasts in the country, especially players, heaved a sigh of relief when they heard of his election, with the hope that it was a beginning of better things to come for the sport in Nigeria – this they based on the new president’s antecedents.
Within the last three months, a lot is expected to have changed in the racket game as many tennis lovers were expecting, but are we seeing these changes already?
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| Engr. Akindoju looking into the future for better days as the NTF president. |
Nigerian Tennis Live took a quick survey to ascertain how well or badly the federation has fared in the last three months, and where the president of the federation, Engr. Akindoju, should lay more emphasis on in the coming months.
According to Coach Benson Ishicheli, the new NTF president has been really active since he assumed the post and he believes that there are many things Nigerians should wait to see before the end of the year.
“From the few times I have heard him speak, they are working on something and it will start taking effect from December, so let’s wait and see.
“I think they will deliver,” he stated.
On his own part, Abuja-based Ewaoche Ameh, an unrepentant tennis lover and passionate follower, believes that Engr. Akindoju and his people are already doing a lot of underground works which will soon start manifesting.
He said: “I honestly think they have done a splendid job thus far. The association was saddled with the arduous task sponsoring the Nigerian Davis Cup team to the classification series in Cairo and did so successfully despite the lean resources in the association’s coffers.
“I’m also aware that sponsorship has been secured for a lot of junior tournaments that will commence soon. And only recently, the association under the able leadership of Engineer Dayo Akindoju Organized a Coaching clinic for Nigerian Tennis Coaches after the recently concluded Two legged Governor’s cup in Lagos.
“The same coaching clinic was held in Abuja for Tennis coaches from this part of the country.”
While one cannot always expect a totally smooth transition from the past to the present, one can only wish that the new administration keeps striving hard to ensure that the mistakes of the past do not repeat themselves.
These were exemplified in the comment of top Nigerian junior tennis coach, Abel Ubiebi, who stated emphatically that the new NTF board should look inwards and believe in the local trainers.
The ACES Tennis Academy boss explained that: “Everything that is being said looks bright but we cannot say yet until we see these things in action.