The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development is set to go into a partnership with United States-based AJ Tennis Academy To Establish a World-class Tennis School in Abuja.
Speaking during a visit to Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, yesterday, Director of A J Tennis Academy International based in Minneapolis, Tolu Olaleye, said he was excited by the prospect of partnering with Nigeria to develop the next generation of tennis players, as well as good citizens of the country.
He said, “Our plan is to develop the tennis academy as a business in partnership with domestic and foreign investors to ensure long-term survival and serve as a model for other sports.
“We are here to explore ways of gaining support for this initiative from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.”
In his response, Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, said, “The timing of this initiative is very good and in consonance with our new sports industry policy, which classifies sports as a business.
“It also falls within the purview of our adopt-a-sport initiative. I fully support this initiative and will give whatever support needed to make it succeed.”
The minister advised the initiator to consider replicating the academy in Ibadan, Lagos, and Abeokuta to derive maximum benefits.
The pilot project is to be sited in Abuja for which an expanse of land has been allocated by the Federal Capital Development Authority.
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