Young tennis players across Nigeria are currently battling for educational grants and international opportunities at the second edition of the Tennista Foundation Junior Tennis Tournament, taking place at the Lagos Country Club.
The three day tournament, which began on Thursday and will conclude on Saturday, features Under 16 and newly introduced Under 12 categories, with separate male and female competitions. Organised by the Tennista Foundation in partnership with the American Business Council Nigeria, the event aims to combine sports development with educational advancement.
Winners in each category will receive educational grants of up to N150,000 along with tennis equipment including rackets, balls, bags and other prizes. Second place finishers will earn N100,000 and similar reward packages, while all participants will benefit from consolation prizes.
Speaking on the tournament growth, Foundation President Michael Nwoseh highlighted improvements from the maiden edition held at Rowe Park in Yaba. He noted that the competition has expanded in scale, sponsorship and overall quality.
Nwoseh also revealed ongoing efforts to secure collegiate tennis scholarships in the United States for standout players, emphasising the foundation’s commitment to using tennis as a pathway for education and empowerment.
Captain of the club tennis section Tunde Benson expressed pride in hosting the event, while Joy Lawal stated that the initiative aligns with broader goals of youth development and economic inclusion.
Coach Patrick Oche described the tournament as vital for discovering and nurturing young talents, noting the limited platforms available for grassroots tennis in Nigeria.
Defending champion David Edward also praised the competition, calling it a key opportunity for players to improve through exposure and competitive matches.
The tournament continues to grow as a platform for shaping the next generation of tennis stars while opening doors to global academic and sporting opportunities.
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