Lagos, Nigeria — The Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, is abuzz with excitement as more than 200 children gather for the annual Fusion Tennis Foundation Clinic and Tournament.
Organized by former Nigerian junior champion Fuad Quadre through his Fusion Tennis Foundation, this event aims to foster grassroots development of the sport and provide opportunities for talented junior players to realize their aspirations.
Quadre, in an interview, shared the remarkable success stories of the foundation’s past endeavors.
He proudly mentioned that a player discovered in a previous edition of the event has not only excelled in the game but had also graduated from an American university.
The primary focus of the initiative is to identify dedicated young talents and provide them with comprehensive training throughout the year, thereby enabling them to secure scholarships for their education.
“We are committed to identifying dedicated talents and providing them with year-round training and educational support.
We are thrilled that one of our former discoveries is now a university graduate in the United States,” Quadre remarked.
The clinic commenced with an impressive turnout of enthusiastic youngsters, showcasing their passion for the sport.
The week-long event structure involves the initial two days dedicated to teaching participants the fundamentals of the game.
The subsequent four days will witness intense competition as players vie for honors in various categories.
Quadre disclosed the foundation’s plans to extend its support to aspiring athletes by selecting around 10 promising kids.
These youngsters will receive educational assistance and gain a platform to secure scholarships in renowned American universities.
He expressed hope that this effort would contribute significantly to enhancing the sport’s landscape in the region.
Recognizing the challenges faced by the sport, especially in terms of junior development and inadequate backing from stakeholders, Quadre extended a challenge to the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) to collaborate with his foundation.
He believes that such partnerships can unearth fresh talents and invigorate the tennis scene.
The much-anticipated Fusion Tennis Foundation Clinic and tournament are set to culminate on Sunday, with eager participants and spectators looking forward to witnessing the young talents showcase their skills on the courts of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.
