ABUJA – Isaac Okoroafor, Acting Director, Corporate Communication, Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) has commended the Nigerian Tennis Federation(NTF) and the media for 40 years of sustained support for its annual Senior Open Tennis Championship.
Okoroafor said this on Tuesday at a news conference in Abuja ahead of this year’s edition, holding from June 21 to June 30 .
According to him, the bank has been using the championship to discover budding tennis talents from across the country.
“This event has been helping the nation to discover talents in tennis, both male and female in the last forty years, such as Kehinde Ajayi,Osaro Amadin,Veronica Oyibokia, among others.
“A number of national players that have emerged through the competition testifies to its relevance in sport development.
“CBN is passionate about youth development and will continue to do that as part of our Corporate Social Responsibilities(CSR).
“We really appreciate the sustained support of NTF and members of the media for their good coverage since the beginning of the championship; you are good partners in this venture,” he said.
The CBN spojesman said this year’s edition was special and worthy of being treated as such.
“We will make it a reunion of past champions who have done well for the nation and themselves”, Okoroafor said.
Earlier in his address, Ifedayo Akindoju, NTF president, commended the apex bank for supporting development of the sport in the country.
““The future is bright for tennis in the country if more corporate organisations can emulate CBN at various levels of tennis development.”
“NTF appreciates the support and will continue to partner with CBN so that the nation can harvest more talents that will attain international fame,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that no fewer than 300 tennis players are expected to participate the event in Abuja.
