The Chairman, Main Organising committee of the Governor Cup Lagos International Tennis, Chief Pius Akinyelure, has expressed his excitement on the new addition to the 13th edition of the tournament which would officially serve off on Friday October 11 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Race Course, Lagos Island.
The MOC boss stated that thirteen they say is unlucky number for some but for us it is s turning point in the process of perpetuating the Governor’s Cup tennis, and making it self-sustaining.
“This year’s edition of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis is made up, as usual of two (2) Futures which would run between Friday 11 – Sunday 27 October, 2013.”
He added that: “The prize money remains $80,000, while other expenses, commitments to the ITF and NTF, accommodation, transportation will gulp over N70 million.
“Because of the quantum leap in entries over the years, there has been a corresponding leap in the requirements for funds and other logistical support. For being able to sustain the tournament, we thank god and then our major sponsors – Etisalat Nigeria and the First City Monument Bank who are five years old on this sponsorship saddle.”
He stated that some of the tournament’s traditional sponsors must also appreciated the likes of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, LASACO Nigeria Plc, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Eko Hotels and Suites, as well as younger sponsors like CECC and Naston Engineering among others.
“There are new attachments to the main draw of the 13th Governor’s Cup. The tournament main draw playing time has been shifted to 12noon to 7pm.
“Top 10 Nigerian players have been put in a close camp to assist them in their preparation for the tournament, a junior tournament for the Under-12 and Under-14 would hold simultaneously with the Governor’s Cup. While the Nigeria Tennis Federation would be hosting an invitational Wheel Chair Tennis event in collaboration with the Governor Cup Tennis.”
The LOC boss added that, in addition to the above, the perimetre fencing of the 5.04 hectares Tennis Academy at the Ibeju Mixed Development Scheme would begin in December 2013.
He noted that, the LOC would introduce Mini-Tennis for ages 5-12 years into Nigeria 2014. An exercise for which an English expert has been commissioned.
Chief Akinyelure extolled the virtues of the moving force of the Governor’s Cup Tennis, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, who he said has done it again. “He as usual, has elevated the Governor’s Cup Tennis to a new height by facilitating the coming on board of new sponsors.
“The OC shall be eternally indebted to him for his vision, support and commitment to tennis and indeed sports in Nigeria.”
