Nigeria gets eight wild cards for Governor’s Cup

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By; Ayo Ojedokun, Lagos.
The 16th Governors Cup Lagos Tennis Championship will serve off on Saturday October 8 to 22nd at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan with eight Nigerians allotted wild cards into the championship.
The tournament which has upped its prize-money to $100,000 from $80,000 will see players from over 35 countries battling for two weeks in what is now officially the ITF highest prize-money championship in Africa, Asia and South America.
According to the chairman of the LOC, Chief Pius Akinyelure the increase in prize money has raised the bar regarding the status of the tournament.
“This singular action, the increase in prize money has not only cemented Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis  in the number one position in tennis tournaments  in  Africa, Asia and South America, but is  also the final step towards the tournament’s upgrading to the Challenger Series. This level, with its attendant economic and commercial benefits  will gradually  move it   from an ITF tournament to a Professional Tennis Association (PTA) tournament which is only a step away from the ultimate in tennis; the Tennis Open,” Akinyelure stated.
Nigeria Tennis Federation President, Sani Ndanusa said the Governor’s Cup has now become a household name and carnival to tennis lovers in Nigeria and the entire world.
Ndanusa, who was represented by the NTF’s 1st Vice-President Yemi Owoseni, commended Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode noting that despite the economic downturn, he kept faith with the championship by adding to its prize money thus enhancing its value.
He pointed that more local and international tournaments have been added to the activities of the NTF adding that the federation will continue its drive in ensuring the continuous development of Nigerian tennis by providing technical support for the players.

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