The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has called for more International Tennis Federation (ITF) ranking tournaments to be hosted in Nigeria to ease the financial burden on young players and boost the country’s tennis development structure.
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Dikko made the appeal during the closing ceremony of the second week of the 2026 NASCO/ITF J30 World Tennis Tour Junior Championship held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Administration, Legal and Strategy, Musa Ahmadu, the NSC chairman praised the organisers and participants, noting that the tournament has continued to provide a strong platform for nurturing future stars in Nigerian and African tennis.
According to him, the ITF J30 championship serves as a pathway to bigger international competitions, including higher-level ITF tournaments, Grand Slam junior qualifiers, scholarship opportunities, and professional tennis circuits.
“Your discipline and commitment showed that the future of Nigerian and African tennis is bright. I commend the ITF for supporting junior tennis globally and the Nigeria Tennis Federation for successfully organising this championship,” Dikko said.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to host more internationally recognised tennis events, arguing that it would help local players gain valuable ranking points without the huge expenses associated with travelling abroad.
“Nigerian athletes should not always travel abroad at great cost just to chase ranking points.
When we host more recognised events in the country, our players gain access, our coaches gain exposure, our officials gain experience, and our country strengthens its position as a serious sporting nation,” he added.
Dikko also highlighted the recent achievements of Nigerian youngster Seun Ogunsakin, who reached the final qualifying round of the Junior French Open and has been registered for the Wimbledon junior qualifying tournament, as evidence of the potential Nigerian players possess when given adequate support and exposure.
The NSC boss further advised young athletes to combine their sporting talent with discipline, proper education, physical fitness, and integrity, while appreciating parents and coaches for their continued sacrifices toward player development.
He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to repositioning Nigerian sports as a tool for national development, unity, and economic growth, with grassroots tennis development playing a major role in achieving that vision.
On the court, Success Ogunjobi emerged champion in the girls’ singles category after defeating Khadijat Mohammed 6-2, 6-1 in the final.
In the boys’ singles final, China’s Hengzhi Cui defeated Nigeria’s Gbolahan Olawale 6-1, 7-6(8) to claim the title.
Ogunjobi also partnered Emmanuel Kwange to win the girls’ doubles crown, beating Khadijat Mohammed and Sri Lanka’s V.D. Rashmi Omaye Wijewardana 6-1, 6-2 in the final.
In the boys’ doubles event, the Chinese pair of Jinxuan Cheng and Hengzhi Cui defeated Gbolahan Olawale and Ishaku Kwange 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 to secure the title.
The second week of the championship featured players from 14 countries and formed part of Nigeria’s growing efforts to strengthen its profile on the international junior tennis circuit.
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