The President of the South-South Inter-Club Tennis Association, Sir Emem Akpabio, has urged the Nigerian government to place a greater emphasis on inter-school sports competitions, especially in tennis, as a means of discovering and nurturing young talents.
Speaking at the South-South Tennis Club Annual General Meeting and regional tennis tournament in Calabar, Cross River State, Akpabio highlighted the crucial role that sports, including tennis, play in the nation’s development and economy.
Akpabio emphasized that sports provide a valuable opportunity to steer young people away from negative influences, offering mentorship and a chance for them to become productive members of society.
He specifically called on the government to return to the basics, by focusing on school sports, as a way to encourage young talents and help them realize their potential. Reflecting on his own experiences, he mentioned that during his time in primary school in what was then Cross River and Southern State, many schools had tennis courts, making sports an integral part of education.
He also stressed that sports promote unity and social cohesion, something vital for Nigeria’s progress. Drawing comparisons with countries like the USA, where sports are deeply embedded in society, Akpabio stated that if Nigeria wants to excel, it must refocus on school sports and provide platforms for youth to engage in sports like tennis from a young age.
Vice President of the South-South Inter-Club Tennis Association, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, also added that sports, particularly tennis, can offer youths a pathway to financial independence and contribute to the development of the local economy.
He noted that tennis is a sport loved by both young and old and is self-sustaining, providing a platform for unity and national development.
Both leaders emphasized that the future of Nigerian sports depends on creating opportunities for youth to get involved, and they believe that focusing on school sports, particularly tennis, is essential for fostering the next generation of athletes and leaders.
