Former Nigeria’s number one tennis player, Babalola Abdul-Mumin, has launched a new Junior Tennis Tournament in Ibadan, drawing young players from across Oyo State.
The competition, which began on Saturday, February 28, will run through Monday, March 2, providing a platform for budding talents to showcase their skills and gain valuable competitive experience.
The competition, organised by the Monaco Tennis Foundation in partnership with Ulike Tennis Club, is the first edition of the Oyo Closed tournament for boys and girls in the under-13, under-14 and under-16 categories. It is taking place at the Recreation Club in Ibadan.
The founder of the Monaco Tennis Foundation, Babalola Abdul-Mumin, also known as Monaco, said the event was created to give back to the sport and support young players.
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Abdul-Mumin is a former national team player who was once ranked number one in Nigeria in 2002 and also reached his best singles world ranking of 722 in 2007.
He said tennis can be expensive, making it difficult for many young talents to pursue the game. According to him, the tournament is part of efforts to create opportunities and help young players achieve their dreams.
“We want to give these young players a chance to grow and believe that they can succeed in tennis,” he said.
He also advised young athletes to stay disciplined and remain focused on their goals.
Organisers say the tournament is designed not only to develop talent, but also to encourage others to invest in sports and support the next generation.
They hope the competition will continue to grow and inspire more initiatives aimed at developing tennis in Nigeria.
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