By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-04-15 03:20:24
The Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, is paving the way for the future of tennis in Nigeria through its partnership with the Ademiluyi Tennis Foundation grassroots development programme. The club believes that this initiative will unearth and nurture tennis talents from the grassroots level all the way to the global stage, with the ultimate goal of putting Nigeria back on the map as a force to be reckoned with in African and international tennis.
At the unveiling of the 20th Dr Joseph Adewunmi Ademiluyi Tournament (JAATF) youth tennis programme, the captain of the tennis section, OmonEhighebolo, emphasized the importance of the tournament as a platform for developing young tennis players and producing champions on a yearly basis. The programme is designed for children under 18 years of age, providing them with the opportunity to participate in a tennis clinic to learn the fundamentals and various aspects of the sport.
Originally created for the children of club members, the tournament has now expanded to include kids from the surrounding communities, with the blessing of the Ademiluyi family. OmonEhighebolo highlighted the club’s commitment to grooming young players for international competitions, giving them exposure to different challenges from around the world and celebrating their successes and failures alike.
The late Dr Joseph Adewunmi Ademiluyi, in whose memory the tournament is held, was a passionate advocate for developmental tennis and the importance of mastering the technical aspects of the game from a young age. According to OmonEhighebolo, tennis requires precision-based techniques, which was a key focus of Dr Ademiluyi’s vision for the youth programme. He stressed the significance of starting tennis training at a young age, with many players beginning as young as four years old and progressing through different developmental stages.
The club has supported numerous players from their early years of development, with the goal of preparing them for a potential professional career by the time they reach the age of 16. The Ademiluyi Tennis Foundation plays a crucial role in providing additional support and resources for these young athletes as they transition to the next level of competition.
Adekanmi, a representative of the Ademiluyi family, expressed his gratitude for the club’s dedication to preserving his relative’s legacy and nurturing future tennis stars. He expressed optimism for the possibility of one of the foundation’s young talents becoming a Wimbledon champion in the coming years, highlighting the impact that the programme has had on shaping the lives and careers of aspiring tennis players in Nigeria.
In conclusion, the partnership between the Lagos Country Club and the Ademiluyi Tennis Foundation represents a significant step forward in the development of tennis talent in Nigeria. By providing young players with the necessary skills, resources, and opportunities to succeed at the highest levels, this initiative is poised to make a lasting impact on the future of Nigerian tennis and inspire a new generation of champions.
