Lagos National Stadium, Surulere came alive on Wednesday, as a grading competition began for wheelchair tennis players across the country.
Nigeria’s wheelchair tennis head coach, Frank Tarmena revealed to sports247.ng that not less than 120 players are taking part in the event.
Tarmena pointed out, that beyond points at stake, the tourney will put Nigeria in good stead for upcoming international tournaments, which include the African championship billed for February 2019 in Ghana.
He lamented Nigeria’s inability to consolidate on its dominance of Africa which now sees South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Kenya ranked higher on the continent.
The soft-spoken coach, though, expressed optimism that Nigeria would soon be reclaiming its enviable position in the event.
Tarmena also revealed that the male and female contests in the tournament, which is bankrolled by Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) president, Ifedayo Akindoju, have 32 players in both categories.
Alex Adewale is the prime seed for the male while Kafayat Omisore tops the women’s ranking.
Adewale represented Nigeria at the 2012 London Olympics and has won the last six editions of the Central Bank of Nigeria Open.
He is expected to get a stiff challenges from the trio of Wasiu Yusuf, Lateef Shodipo and Jude Uwazie, while Omisore has Tosin Dawodu and Chituru Nwaozuzu among her toughest rivals.
They will expect to be in action when wheelchair tennis will for the first time be part of the National Sports Festival next month in Abuja.
