Tournament director for J5 Abuja, International Tennis Federation (ITF) world tennis tour, Musa Saidu,says the federation reduced registration fees to have more Nigerian players participate in the championship.

According to Mr Saidu, the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), the actual registration fee for J5 is $50 (N20,500).

“For weeks three and four, we have reduced it to $40 for Nigerian players to have more Nigerians participate. However, foreign players are still to pay $50. We started week three last Monday and ended on Sunday. We started week four on Monday, and this will end next Sunday,” he explained. “This is to give them more opportunities because a lot of players complained that lack of money has deprived them from participating in the tournament.”

Mr Saidu added, “Most players are from of-privileged families and looking at the financial aspects, which have brought about the reduction, that’s why we decided to reduce the registration fees for them to enable them to participate.”

Mr Saidu added that the major challenge facing the federation is the problem of inadequate funds.

“The challenge we are facing is finance, and we have no government involvement in the championship. The president of the federation, Akindoju Adedayo, took it upon himself to organise this competition to enhance the growth of grassroots development of the Sports since it is a junior tournament,” Mr Saidu further disclosed. “The president has put a lot of his money into the tournament to ensure that kids play the game of the tennis.”

Forty-five players from eight countries and the host nation are participating.

Nigeria (host), Germany, the U.S., Sweden, Ghana, Egypt, Great Britain, South Africa, and Israel are participating in the championship.

The J5 ITF World Tennis Tour will end on November 28. 

(NAN)