Sports
International Tennis Stars from France, UK, India, Hong Kong, and More Set to Compete in Nigeria for ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors
Joel Ajayi
The Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) is gearing up to launch its 2025 season with the prestigious hosting of the ITF World Junior Circuit J30 Tennis Tournament in Abuja. This highly anticipated event is set to attract young tennis talents from across the globe, providing Nigerian junior athletes with a unique opportunity to compete against some of the best players in their age group. The tournament, which is one of the most significant events on the NTF calendar, is not only a platform for showcasing talent but also a critical measure of the growth and development of Nigeria’s budding tennis stars.
The competition will feature participants from a diverse array of countries, including France, the United Kingdom, India, Hong Kong, China, Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco. These young athletes have already begun arriving in Nigeria, ready to take part in the two-week-long tournament, which will be held in two distinct phases. The first phase, Week 1, is scheduled to run from February 17 to February 22, 2025, while the second phase, Week 2, will take place from February 24 to March 2, 2025. This dual-phase structure ensures that players have ample opportunity to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Shammah Makpa, the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, expressed his excitement and confidence in the federation’s readiness to host the international event. “We are fully prepared to welcome the world to Nigeria,” Makpa stated. “Our facilities are in tip-top shape, and we are eager to get started. This tournament is not just about competition; it’s about fostering international camaraderie and showcasing Nigeria’s ability to host world-class sporting events.”
Makpa also extended a warm welcome to the visiting athletes, encouraging them to embrace the unique hospitality and culture of Nigeria while giving their best on the court. “We urge all the players coming from different parts of the world to enjoy their time in Nigeria. Experience our rich culture, savor our cuisine, and, most importantly, play the best tennis of your lives. This is a chance to make lasting memories both on and off the court.”
The ITF World Junior Circuit J30 Tournament is a crucial stepping stone for young tennis players aiming to climb the ranks in international tennis. For Nigerian athletes, it represents a rare opportunity to compete on home soil against some of the most promising junior players from around the world. The tournament is expected to not only elevate the standard of tennis in Nigeria but also inspire the next generation of Nigerian tennis stars to aim for global recognition.
As the countdown to the tournament begins, excitement is building among players, coaches, and tennis enthusiasts alike. The event promises to be a celebration of talent, sportsmanship, and international unity, with Nigeria taking center stage as a proud host nation. With top-notch facilities, a warm reception, and a competitive atmosphere, the ITF World Junior Circuit J30 Tournament in Abuja is set to be a landmark event in the 2025 tennis calendar.
Featured
Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
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