The maiden edition of the Wadada Tennis Championship has officially kicked off in Lafia, Nasarawa State with the aim to discovering grassroots sporting talents while advocating for healthier, active lifestyles.
Kicked off with high enthusiasm, the Tennis Championship was organised in honour of Senator Ahmed Wadada, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the state’s 2027 general elections.
In his remarks during the opening ceremony , Dr. Musa Ahmed, the Accountant-General of Nasarawa State said the competition is long-term grassroots development aimed at harnessing budding talents.
Represented by Alhaji Ahmadu Babanrabi, Chairman of the Nigerian Tennis Federation, Nasarawa State Chapter, he explained that the junior category had already commenced, while the senior category would begin in due course..
”We want to encourage the younger ones from the grassroots so that we can get more players as we are retiring. We need to have other people who will eventually replace us,” Ahmed stated.
He noted that to build a sustainable pipeline of talent, organisers intend to establish the championship as an annual fixture.
The State Accountant General emphasised that sustaining growth requires substantial funding for gear, certified coaches, medical teams, and player support systems.
Ahmed recalled that the state had more tennis courts in the 1980s, particularly in Lafia, Keffi and at the then Nasarawa Polytechnic, but said the facilities had declined over the years.
He disclosed that only about two functional courts were currently available in Lafia, adding that at least four courts were needed to accommodate growing interest in the sport.
Addressing inclusion at the grassroots level, Mrs. Aisha Dangana of the Lafia Tennis Club urged girls and women across the state to take up the sport for fitness and personal development.
As the club’s only active female player, Dangana highlighted how tennis seamlessly accommodates modest attire and religious practices.
”I wear a hijab, long sleeves, and long trousers, and I am comfortable in it. It does not stop me from playing sports,” Dangana said , clarifying that the game’s format allows women to play comfortably without compromising cultural values.
Highlighting the event’s dual focus, Lafia Tennis Club Secretary Mr. Mohammed Lakpa noted that the championship serves both as a health initiative for older participants and a career stepping stone for aspiring professionals.
In the junior female category, Miss Onyenyechi Arinze, defeated Miss Wandoo Gabriel in a keenly contested match.
Onyenyechi described the game as challenging, saying she was nervous at the start but grateful for the opportunity and the experience gained.
Gabriel, on her part, said losing was part of the learning process, adding that participation in the tournament was more important than the outcome.
“I feel very grateful for the opportunity. Losing is not a bad thing. It is about your passion and what you want from the game.
“You have to be emotionally strong first of all, and I am thankful for the opportunity of playing in this tournament,” she said.
The organisers expressed optimism that future editions of the Wadada Tennis Championship would attract more participants and further strengthen grassroots tennis development in Nasarawa State.
