By Francis Ajuonuma
The Olu Iwa of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom, Oba Mohammad Moroof Oyekunle Atanda Amodu Tijani Oluwa (Amore III) has lamented over the deplorable state of sporting facilities at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The Monarch, who was at the stadium to grace the final of the Adewale Isa Foundation (AIF) 4th National Junior Tennis Championship held on September 2, 2023, at the Tennis Complex, described the decay of facilities at the stadium as a national embarrassment and wondered why such a national edifice should be abandoned to rot away.
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“What I’m seeing here at the National Stadium Surulere Lagos is embarrassing. Look at the environment, they have neglected this national Stadium and went to Abuja, leaving where the thing started. This stadium is really in a very bad state and needs urgent attention.
“I want to implore the Nigeria Tennis Federation to upgrade the tennis courts. Because if we want to catch them young, we must provide the facilities and enabling environment for sport to thrive,” the Royal Father said.
The Olu Iwa, also commended the organisers of the annual AIF National Junior Tennis Championship for supporting the growth of tennis in the country, while challenging philanthropists in the country to take a cue from the children of late Adewale Isa, who have deemed it fit to give back to society what they have got.
“I want to thank the organisers of this competition, he flies in from America every year to come and organise this tournament where we have a lot of people in the country who cannot spend their money. This is someone from the diaspora trying to make sure that tennis in his country is taken to a higher level, he and his sister deserve our commendation.
The philanthropists in Nigeria, this is a challenge to you,” he said while urging the new sports minister, Senator John Enoh to ensure that all sports are given equal attention with no preference.
“I want to plea with the new sports minister not to concentrate only on football. He has to attend all sports equally to achieve that sense of belonging that would drive him to the next level.
Meanwhile, in the boys U-14 final of the AIF 4th 4th National Junior Tennis Championship, Amasiani Chukwudubem emerged champion after defeating Shamsideen Bello by 4-1, 4-2, while Lerelay Holzendorff beat Ndifreke Benjamin by 5-4, 2-4 and 10-8 to win the girls U-14.
Earlier in the Under 12 categories, Roseline Nana powered past Kwange Emmanuel, 5-3, 2-4, and 10-4 to win the girls’ trophy, while Michael Joel outplayed Ubiebi Peter 4-2, 5-3 to be crowned the boys’ champion.
