Oladunjoye Canvasses More Partnerships For Lagos Open Tennis

Since Year 2002 when the first edition of Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship was held inside the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, the Africa’s longest running tennis tournament has become a household event for emerging tennis players across the world to showcase their talents, get exposure, securing needed points to improve their world rankings and earning cool money as prizes, the competition has never for once failed to live up to expectations of its stakeholders.

The Governor’s Cup Tennis, which was rechristened Lagos Open Tennis Championship three years ago, has been an annual tennis classics to celebrate the sitting Governor of Lagos State since the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The incumbent, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had his first tournament in office in 2019.

Lagos Open is an International Tennis Federation accredited tournament that takes place annually at Lagos Lawn Tennis Club. The event is classified as a $25,000 ITF Women’s and Men’s Circuit tournament with participants always coming from more than 50 nations across the world for each edition.

Organising Lagos Open Tennis has been the responsibility of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) with headed by Chief Pius Akinyelure, the Nigeria Tennis Federation and support from the ‘Friends of the Governor’ – corporate organisations, government and individuals.

Though sponsorship for this tournament has been coming, there is however the need for the Lagos Open to get more support for it to deliver the dividends, more importantly, to the core stakeholders, the emerging young players in Nigeria and abroad.

The Tournament Director, Prince Wale Oladunjoye wants corporate organisations in Nigeria to get involved in the career development of young Nigerian players through their constant exposure at the Lagos Open which has been given them opportunity to rub shoulder, in a competitive environment, with their counterparts from different nations of the world.

Prince Oladunjoye was speaking at an award ceremony the Lagos Open LOC put together for the U-16 players who have been participating in Lagos Open Juniors regularly and now coming tops across the nation and West Africa tournaments.
The 2020 award ceremony was held  recently at 24 Adeola Odeku St LSDPC Estate Blocks of Flats Tennis Court opposite Cubana Club.

“We need sports partnerships,” said Oladunjoye, “and a matter of fact, we should not be calling it sponsorship any more, rather we should focus more on partnership with the corporate world to take the Lagos Open to the next level.

“We want partners to look into the  welfare of these young players for them to play more tournaments across the world. We need corporate partnership to forge ahead with the Lagos Open. We must be there for these players. They were talented,” he said.

Calvin Hemery, a Nigeria-born French player and Indian Riya Bhatia claimed the Lagos Open second leg men’s and women’s singles titles respectively in the 2019 edition held at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club in Onikan.

The 2020 edition, which supposed to hold in October, could not be held due to novel Coronavirus pandemic that is ravaging the world in the outgoing year. This led sporting and recreational activities, as well as other endeavour of life to be suspended.

The tennis world will now focus on the 2021 edition, looking forward to seeing another spectacular performance from young tennis stars converging in Lagos, one of the emerging mega cities of the world.