By Tare Youdeowei

Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta has described former Vice President, Late Sir Alex Ekwueme, as a legendary achiever, lover of tennis and a voracious academic, just as the Commission doled out a total of N17m in cash prizes to winners at the finals of the NCC Tennis Cup, at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

Late Alex Ekwueme

Speaking on the essence of the league, Prof. Danbatta, represented by Director for Research and Planning, Mrs. Abigail Solanke, said; “Our major objective in promoting this competition is to contribute to the overall development of our nation through sports and, particularly, through tennis which has the potential to engage, motivate, entertain and keep our youth physically fit and mentally focused. Above all, create opportunities for the players to earn a decent living and a chance to be famous.

“The impact, which this tournament has made in the Nigerian tennis circuit, gives us in the NCC satisfaction and fulfilment and we are proud to use this opportunity to engage a number of Nigerian youths. We are prouder to have taken quality tennis to different locations in the country and see players improving daily due to the regular competitions the league offers.”

In memory of Sir Ekwueme, Danbatta said; “Plans are afoot to start a Team Ekwueme to be domiciled at the Enugu Sports Club where he is a patron. His outstanding achievements packed in 85 years of a positively relenttless and exemplary life, can only motivate and inspire those who love him.”

Teams Civil Defence, Muller, Offikwu and Ndoma Egba took home seven, five, three and two million Naira respectively for finishing first, second, third and fourth place respectively.

Speaking delightedly at finishing first for the third consecutive time, Team Civil Defence, through Commandant Dayo Dele Titus, Director of Sports, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, enthused; “I feel great and give God all the glory for giving us the victory.

The season began around March and we have been preparing. Truth is when we do something good outside here we go back home and something good is waiting for us, so that is really what is motivating the athletes to perform. I thank our management headed by Commandant General B. Mohammed, who has been supporting us. The winners have to go back home and plan for the next season.”

Those that have not won should prepare hard, go back and make sure they come up, but my winners to would not relent.”

Garnering support, Danbatta implored; “We will continue to ask for the support of other agencies and organisations to join our effort, not necessarily in tennis but in other sports so that we can have positive multiplier effects on the youth and our society.”

The league started with eight teams in 2015, increased to 10 teams in 2016 and attracted 14 teams in 2017, with three teams having to do playoff to get to 12 teams. The league presently spreads across Ado-Ekiti, Ibadan, Ilorin, Kaduna, as well as Jos.