By JOE APU and Paul Nwokocha jr
The sixth edition of the Adewale Foundation for tennis tournament is currently ongoing at the National Stadium, continuing a legacy built in honour of late tennis coach Adewale Issa.
One of the tournament directors, Nuruddin Issa, explained that the event was established by him and his sister as a way to give back to the community while preserving their father’s contributions to tennis in Nigeria.
“Our dad was more than a coach; he was a father figure who trained and housed many young players. We felt the best way to honor him was to return home and create opportunities for kids through this tournament,” he said.
Over the years, the competition has grown into a national championship where junior players from across the country gather to compete. According to Issa, the tournament has significantly raised the standard of the game among Nigerian youngsters. “When we first started, the level of tennis was not as high as it is now. But today, we’ve seen tremendous improvement in skills and technique. Some past winners have even gone on to represent Nigeria at top levels,” he stated noting that the progress is a major achievement for the foundation.
While commending the strides made so far, Nuruddin acknowledged that Nigeria still faces challenges in producing players who can compete at elite international tournaments like the US Open and Wimbledon. He emphasized that lack of funding and limited competitions are major obstacles. “One tournament a year is not enough. These kids need consistent exposure to high-level competitions. We’re appealing for more support and for others to replicate what we’re doing so we can take bigger steps forward,” he said. The tournament ends on Saturday, with prizes consisting mainly of tennis equipment and a special MVP award for boys and girls, sponsored by friends of the foundation in the United States.
Among the young athletes at the event is 12-year-old player Goodluck Tersoo, who has been playing tennis for the past four years and has already competed in 12 tournaments.
Filled with excitement, the young athlete described the experience as a chance to learn, compete and make new friends. “I am so happy to play this tournament. I’m so happy for the sponsors that support it,” he said. Looking ahead, he dreams of becoming a champion within the next five years and proudly representing Nigeria on the international stage.