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CBN’s sports evolution in Nigeria

By News Express on July 11, 2016

Writing this Monday morning on an institution like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on her ever spirited Endeavour to develop Nigerian youths through sports, no doubt, could be an overwhelming task that one has to be well armed with facts even figures in order to thoroughly educate our ever increasing loyal readers on the strides the apex Bank has put in her avowed mission in engaging, developing and empowering the teeming Nigerian youths through sports.

Fact is, any attempt to articulate these gaits of the lender of last resort would help highlight and bring to the fore its genuine march for many years to set the tone in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which majority of its public have been in total darkness.

One therefore believes that with the kind of cravings (viewership) this column presently commands, it would no doubt, help create more awareness on the CBN works this vital area.
To put it mildly, one has to without any iota of equivocation thumb up the successive CBN Governors who have like religion, followed the footprints to sustained the laudable annual sports championships ranging from Tennis, Football, Golf and sundry in its affirmed interest and passion to assist in the promotion and development of sporting activities in Nigeria.
To be honest with you, the CBN has been fittingly and deeply sponsoring various sporting proceedings not with lip service. These include (Lawn) Tennis, Golf Tournament and All Financial Institutions Football Competition. These sporting summits have impacted positively amongst the participants in all its ramifications as they have variously attested to at different fora.
For instance (Lawn) Tennis has reached its 33rd edition of the Senior Open Championship that was held from May 27, 2011 to June 4, 2011 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos with winners emerging in various categories.

In the men’s single, it would be recalled that Henry Atseye defeated Chinonso Madueke in a high tension top clash to take home the trophy as the duo of Sunday Maku and Sunday Jegede defeated Sunday Emmanuel and Babalola Abdulmumuni to emerge the men’s doubles champs. It has roundly lived up to its billing and helped in no smaller measure to shape and redefine the future of all players that passed through this ever memorable showpiece mounted annually by CBN. As the men can beat their chest also the ladies category is not left out, Biola Akewula defeated Blessing Samuel to become the ladies winner while the pair of Fatima Abinu and Omotayo Ibrahim defeated Christy Agugbom and Blessing Samuel to coast home resoundingly in the ladies doubles cadre.

It is germane to posit here that since its humble inception in 1979, the championship has produced artistic players that represented the country at international tennis meets.
It instructive to point out that the bulging amongst are players like Sadiq Abdullahi, David Imonite, Remi Osho, Sunday Maku, Veronica Oyibokia, Rolake Olagbegi, Clara Usofa, Margaret Olagundoye, and many others.

Without any prejudice, keen followers and watchers of the racket game would easily remember the exploits of David Imonite, Veronica Oyibokia and others in both the national and international tennis circle. It was during their time that Nigeria often had ranking players in the international arena. They held sway and brought honours to themselves and their country.
They were products of the very innovative CBN initiative, which has grown from strength to strength. What we have seen over these years is simply what continuity can do for an endeavor. The CBN yearly tennis tournament has endured and continued likewise to be at its highest ebb, in short, a momentous sort after summit in the courts.

Let me further alert my readers that the Championship has in fact became a selection ground for the country in preparation for major competitions such as Davis Cup, All Africa Games, etc.
In its determination to ensure that young stars are discovered, nurtured and developed early, the CBN introduced in 2007, The CBN Junior Tennis Tournament. The tournament is designed to serve as a feeder to this senior championship and it is open to boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 18. The 5^th edition of the junior championship was held from 2^nd to 7^th May, 2011 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Tafawa Balewa Square, Race Course, Lagos.

As it has been from the beginning, just recently, Moses, Ifidzen won the prestigious CBN Tennis Open on June 26, 2016 which officially drew the curtain on the 38^th edition of the Banks Senior Open Tennis Championship that threw up Michael Moses and Russian based Melissa Ifidzen subduing others to emerge as champions of the men and women single categories respectively. Melissa in the Men’s Singles category, last year’s runners-up Michael Moses defeated Sylvester Emmanuel 6-4, 1-6, and 6-3 in the final decided at the Tennis Centre Court of the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos, even as Melissa went back to Russia smiling by retaining the title she also won last year. Seeded No. 2 behind last year’s winner, Thomas Otu, Moses won the first set 6-4 but dropped his guards in the second set which he lost 1-6 only for him to bounce back in the third and final set of the match which he won 6-3 to lift the 38^th CBN trophy plus the N700, 000 star prize cash award attached to the trophy. In the women’s singles category, the defending champion and tournament no. 2 seed, Melissa Ifidzen, all the way from Russia proved that she was not yet ready to release her crown when she defeated last year’s runners-up and tournament top seed, Christy Agugbom 6-3, 6-2 to retain her title, thus winning it for the second time back to back. She also pocketed the N700, 000 prize money that goes with the trophy. It was indeed a sweet and fulfilled 38th CBN senior tournament for Melissa who also paired with Sarah Adegoke to win the women’s Doubles trophy by beating the pair of Christy Agugbom (her women’s Singles victim) and Blessing Samuel 6-0, 6-2 in the final decided soon after the women’s singles final.

It is in recognition of the contributions made by the Bank towards the development of sports in the country, that Champion Newspaper once upon a time awarded CBN the Sporting Corporate Sponsor of the Year 2007 (Tennis). The award according to the Newspaper was in recognition of CBN’s commitment to the development of sports, particularly the game of tennis in the country. The feeder championship has also grown and has firmly taken its roots and the yawning gap filled
There is also the CBN Governor’s Golf Cup and in continuation of its utmost commitment to the expansion of sports in the land, the Bank in 2007 sponsored the maiden edition of the CBN Governor’s Golf Cup Tournament at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, Maitama, Abuja from 2 - 4 November 2007.

Let me reveal that the main objective is to create an atmosphere of relaxation for distinguished personalities to cross-breed ideas necessary for friendship and business opportunities. It is also part of the Bank’s corporate social responsibility towards the development of golf in Nigeria.

The 5^th edition of the CBN Governor’s Golf Cup Tournament was held at the IBB Golf and Country Club, Maitama, Abuja, from Friday, December 9 to Sunday, December 11, 2011. It has been on and waxing stronger to the full admiration of the participants and fans of the elitist sport.

Then enters the all Financial Institutions Football Competition which the final of 2011 edition was played at the M. K.O. Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, Ogun State on 5^th November, 2011 with First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Football Club emerging winners of the competition. The Team defeated Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Club 3 - 2 to lift the trophy. The CBN in collaboration with Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) organises the competition to foster closer relationship among employees of banks and other financial institutions. The competition has been on since 1979, when the maiden edition was held to mark the 20^th anniversary of CBN. It is worthy to note that football stars like Stephen Keshi, Henry Nwosu, Kanu Nwankwo, etc, had featured in the competition.

•Victor Enyinnaya can be reached via 08055068145 (sms only) or by e-mail via sportzvictor@yahoo.com.au

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 11, 2016