Ambode’s Absence At Governor’s Cup Finals Not Deliberate – SSG

ISRAEL TAIWO

Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG),  Mr Tunji Bello,  has come to the defence of the state Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode,  over his failure to personally grace the final ceremony of the 17th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship which was held on Saturday, 21 October at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

The Governor was also absent at the final of the 2016 edition despite the fact that the competition,  since inception,  is being staged in honour of the sitting Governor of Lagos State. He only attended the finals of the 2015 edition.

Reporters who covered the finals threw the unexpected question at the SSG, who incidentally was the same person who represented the Governor in 2016, Mr Bello, however, rose to the occasion as he answered the question as if he was expecting it. He told the sporting press that Governor Ambode held the International Tennis Federation (ITF) approved pro circuit competition and the organisers in high esteem, adding that on no account would the Governor not attend the finals if he were not to be occupied by other urgent State matters.

His words: “The Governor is so passionate about sports in Lagos, but the tight schedule of work has made him not to attend the finals. There are several things that demand his attention. He was not in town,  that’s why he had to send me to represent him, but I want to assure you that he will be here next year. ”

Bello disclosed that the state government won’t relent its support for the Governor’s Cup as the dream of the Governor is for the competition to become bigger with added glamour.

“We have been of great support to the competition, we will continue to give our support, ” he said.

The SSG made the presentation of trophies on behalf of the Governor to the winners of the men’s doubles, the Croatian twins, Ivan and Matej Sabanov.