A fast growing wheelchair tennis youngster, Pelumi Odunuga has cried out for support that will help him realise his dream of playing in a major international competition this year.
Pelumi Odunuga cited the 2025 ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour as the ultimate destination for his fledging career, but confessed that he is currently facing material and financial constraints.
The youngster, who recently became Lagos State senior number two, after a couple of years as Nigeria’s junior national number one, further disclosed that he is also eyeing top spot in men’s wheelchair tennis at the National Sports Festival.
His immediate target, though, is to get a new personal wheelchair and register for one of the major categories in the annual ITF/Uniqlo Tour, the biggest of which take place in the United States and France.
Odunuga revealed in a highly emotional chat with sports247.ng: “The next thing that is in my plan now is to go for an ITF competition.
“My long-term ambition is to contribute towards developing the sport in Nigeria, but my immediate need now is to get a new wheelchair.
“I also need to urgently go for an ITF international competition in order to develop myself. It will help me to get things right in my life as I grow.”
Odunuga also revealed the steps he has taken in order to fulfil his dreams, but pointed out that poor awareness of wheelchair tennis in Nigeria is a major hindrance to his ambitions.
“I decided to relocate to Lagos in order to prepare for the ITF Tour and also plan for the National Sports Festival,” Odunuga disclosed.
“That’s what brought me to Lagos. I just completed my trials, and I am now Lagos State number two in the senior level. We will soon start preparations for the Sports Festival, and I will be ready anytime they call us to camp.”
The enthusiastic lad then gave a run down of the areas of assistance he is looking up to from Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) as well as various organisations for himself, other young players and the sport at large.
Odunuga continued emphatically, “I need support from Nigeria Tennis Federation and the Paralympic Committee.
“I am making a case for myself as one of the new players coming in to replace the old ones. We need to create awareness to develop the game.
“They need to publicise that there is ability in disability. They need to encourage people with disabilities to get involved in sports, which will also help in promoting the country’s image.
“We, wheelchair tennis players, will continue trying our best to create a better image for Nigeria across the world.
“So, the Nigeria Tennis Federation should help us create more awareness for wheelchair tennis. They should also encourage junior players to come in, because the ones currently there are getting old.
“We must develop the game, so that it won’t just be stagnant or so that it might not die,” Odunuga advocated.
