Dayo Abulude, the secretary-general of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), on Monday, urged players to be of good behaviour in the ongoing VEMP National Open Tennis Championship.

VEMP Limited, in conjunction with NTF, is organising the third edition VEMP National Open Tennis Championship at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The secretary explained that players were playing to the rules and regulations of the games.

“Anyone who lacks good character and discipline cannot succeed in any endeavour. Competition is going on smoothly, when play and lose the game, they have to leave so that the atmosphere will not be congested,” he said.

According to him, a total of 128 players started the preliminary series on Friday. He added that 32 females and 64 males participated in the main draw, which started on Monday.

“The main draw started today, we did the preliminary from Friday to Sunday. We gave players a consolidation series, which means we have an opportunity for players who did not do well in the preliminary series (about two to give them an opportunity to play the game again),” stated Mr Abulude. “This is the third edition of VEMP National Tennis Open. We started on the third of November, which was the arrival day.”

Mr Abulude further noted that the main draw competition started on Monday, involving all the main ranking players.

“The best 32 male and 32 female players who played in the qualifiers also joined the players in the main draw on Monday. Monday to Thursday for the main draw, Friday the semi-finals, while the final matches will be played on Saturday,” he stated. “We started the female double today, which will end on Wednesday, and the male double commence on Wednesday. Friday is the semi-final matches, while the final games will be played on Saturday to end the competition.”

(NAN)