By Adeyinka Akintunde, Lagos on June 15, 2016

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, has assured that the apex bank will continue to support and promote the game of tennis in Nigeria.

He gave the assurance on Tuesday in Lagos while addressing a press conference on the 38th edition of the CBN Open Tennis Championship scheduled to run from June 16 to 25 at the Lawn Tennis Court, National Stadium, Surulere Lagos.

Okorafor, who was represented by Mrs. Sintiki Thaanda, noted that the CBN Open is the only major tournament in the calendar of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) that provides a platform for the selection of talented players to Nigeria at the forthcoming Davis Cup.

“In line with the Corporate Social Responsibility programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria, we wish to re-affirm the bank’s desire to support and promote the game of Tennis in Nigeria,” the CBN Spokesman said.

He said that this year’s edition of the 2016 CBN Junior Tennis Tournament for boys and girls aged 10 to 18 was played in Kaduna between May 23 and 28, and that the winner is expected to contest in the CBN Open.

Mr. Okorafor also assured that “the Wheelchair Tennis, which was introduced in 2013, has come to stay” and will be one of the events that will hold during the forthcoming CBN Open Tennis Championship in Lagos.

On the prize money for the CBN Open, he announced that the winner of both the male and female categories will get N700,000, while the runner-up will get N500,000, while the winner of the Wheelchair Tennis will go home with N200,000.

In his remarks, NTF President, Mr. Sanni Ndanusa, thanked the CBN for the continued sponsorship of tennis in the country.

Ndanusa, who was represented by NTF Vice President, Mr. Yemi Owoseni, noted that the CBN Open “brings a lot of youths to participate, as over 200 players are currently in the preliminaries.”

He described CBN as “a household name in tennis,” adding: “We are proud to host the 38th edition of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, at a time when it is hard to get sponsors.”

Daily Sports reports that the competition is expected to be contested by 64 men and 32 women.

•Photo shows CBN Spokesman Isaac Okorafor with two champions of a CBN Junior Tennis Championship.

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 15, 2016

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