Over 200 children have converged on the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, to learn the rudiments of the game at the yearly Fusion Tennis Foundation Clinic and Tournament.
The project, organised by former Nigerian junior champion, Fuad Quadre, through his Fusion Tennis Foundation, is aimed at promoting the development of the game at the grassroots and also help talented junior players to achieve their dream.
Speaking on the programme, Quadre revealed that one of the players discovered by the foundation in an earlier edition is now a graduate of an American university, adding that the project would support talented youngsters to earn scholarships.
“We are trying to pick out some talents that are dedicated enough and give them training throughout the year and support them to earn scholarships. We are very happy that one of the kids we discovered a few years ago is now a university graduate in the United States.”
Quadre expressed excitement at the level of participation and enthusiasm shown by the kids and said that the first two days of the weeklong clinic would expose participants to the rudiments of the game, while players would compete for honours in various categories in the remaining four days.
“We will have three days of clinic and a tournament that will end on Sunday. This year, we are planning to select about 10 kids that will be assisted throughout the year with their education and given a platform to earn scholarships in the United States,” he said.
Concerned by the game’s low level of development and inadequate support for juniors from stakeholders, he challenged the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) to support his foundation to unearth fresh talents.
The clinic/tournament will end on Sunday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.
