United Arab Emirates-based tennis ace, Samuel Omoile has sued for the establishment of more academies for the sport across Nigeria.
The sort-spoken tennis buff, who disclosed that he has plans of erecting an academy as well, stressed that youth development is essential in the sport.
While also pointing at the need for more and bigger tennis competitions in Nigeria, sports247.ng reports that Omoile is eager to contribute his own quota in enhanced development of the aces game back home in the country.
He stressed that Nigerian tennis players need more competitions to make them stand any chance of winning something as big as Grand Slam.
Omoile said this is one reason why he threw his weight behind the ongoing Sota Junior Tennis Championship for U-10 to U-14 players at Lagos National Stadium, Surulere.
The five-day competition, which will end on Saturday, has over 100 kids competing in various levels and Omoile added that Nigeria also needs to train talents early, for them to compete favourably around the world.
Omoile disclosed: “For this competition I want many kids to get playing. I also want to establish an academy in Nigeria where the youths will be given the needed attention.
“We need more academies in Nigeria; tennis training needs an early start because of its physical nature.
“My dream is to see Nigerian players compete in the Grand Slam. With our population, we should have representation in the highest tennis tournament in the world.
“We have many youths who want to play, but don’t have the exposure in terms of competitions.
“Playing in the Grand Slam likened to playing a World Cup, is realisable in the nearest time but we need to put our energy and resources into it.
“We don’t have enough competition for tennis in this country. It is an investment that is worth it.
“If we invest, it will eventually pay off. We should get these kids playing and give them the necessary competition to grow.”
