The chairman, organising committee of the on-going Prince Victor Uwakwe under-15 and 21 Lawn Tennis Tournament in Enugu, Dr. Lawrence Azike, has said eight states were slugging it out for honours at the tournament.
Ezike disclosed this to newsmen as the competition entered the round of 32 with eight states in participation.
He named the eight states as Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers Cross Rivers and the South-east states as Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu, the host state.
According to the chairman, the tournament was previously restricted to players from the South-east states, but has been expanded to include the South-south states.
Blueprint reports that the tournament which kicked off on August 2 inside the Enugu State Sports Club Tennis Court is now at the knockout stages on August 9 and would end on August 12.
“We are looking forward to improving the skills of the kids and to enhance their play so that they can stage their stake in the national tournaments,” he said.
The chairman added that the registration for the competition had closed and could not accommodate any state that arrived on Wednesday.
“We made it clear to the expected states that any state that arrived at the knock out stage of the competition will not be accommodated.
“As for the age limit, we are trying to ensure that only players under the ages of 15 and 21 for both boys and girls take part in the tournament.”
Azike advised young tennis players to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the philanthropist, Price Victor Uwakwe, to enrich their skills and as a way to higher places.
The chairman noted that the sponsor had promised to take the tournament beyond a regional thing and ensure it reached a national competition.
“We are looking forward that in no distant time, this tournament will metamorphose into a national tournament.”
