Press Releases

Governor’s Cup: Fashola Raises Hope On Revival Of Tennis
• As sponsors commit to 5 years of uninterrupted sponsorship

Oct 23, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Friday drew the curtain on the 9th edition of the Governor’s Cup Tennis Championship in Lagos with a promise to ensure that a Nigerian champion emerges in the next edition.

Fashola spoke at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Lagos, venue of the two-week tournament just as the sponsors of the edition – Etisalat, FCMB and an anonymous sponsor committed themselves to the uninterrupted sponsorship of the tournament for the next five years.

The Governor who noted that the major concern of the people as expressed in the media throughout the period was the continued inability to produce a Nigerian champion from the tournament promised that he would work with his team and in collaboration with the sponsors to ensure that a Nigerian champion emerges before the next tournament.

“One thing that I have noted in the last two weeks is the legitimate concern of all as expressed in the media, the news papers, the radio and TV to see a Nigerian champion emerge from this championship. It is only worth doing. I and the team of my men will take up the challenge. Between now and the next tournament, there will be a series of championships from which we will fish out talents, the very best to lead the championship”, the Governor pledged.

He said although he is associated with soccer, he has played tennis at both club and even State levels including the Tennis Club in Apapa, Police Club in Ikeja and others adding that the important thing is to give sponsorship so that the youths would develop interest in the sport.

According to the Governor, “there is no miracle in tennis success. Almost every week across the world, there are major championships opening and closing and the thing is to stay relevant, play the championships and earn the points. Nigerian players can only do this and we will support them and provide sponsorship”.

Expressing gratitude to the sponsors for not only successfully delivering the 9th edition but also committing themselves to five years of uninterrupted sponsorship of the tournament, Governor Fashola thanked the host club- Lagos Lawn Tennis Club-, and all those who contributed to making the two-week tournament successful.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee of the tournament, Chief P.O. Akinyelure said the committee spent a total of N63 million Naira to host the Championship as against N52 million spent last year pointing out that the difference was as a result of the increase in the US dollar exchange rate.

Chief Akinylure who urged well–to-do Lagosians to give their maximum support and cooperation by being actively involved in the future tournaments, commended the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club for their willingness to host the Championship and the massive reconstruction and additions going on in the premises of the Club.

Also in his goodwill message, the President of the Nigerian Tennis Federation, Engineer Sani Ndanusa thanked Governor Fashola for sustaining the annual event and for keep the hope alive for the youths.

He called on the sponsors of Tennis to take advantage of the tax laws that give incentives to sponsors of Sports in the country saying, “this is the Government’s way and our way of appreciating you”.

Two Championships, Men’s Double and Women’s Doubles were contested at the finals with the duo of Johin Paul Fruttero (USA) and Catalin Idnut Gard (Romania) beating the duo of Komolavi Loglo (Togo) and Valentin Sanon (Cote d’Voire) to lift the Men’s double prize.