Femi Solaja
Inspite of scarcity of foreign exchange due to down turn in the country’s economy, organisers of annual Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship have increased the total prize money of the competition from $80,000 to $100,000.
The increment will take effect from the 16th edition which holds from 8-22 October, 2016 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.
Secretary General of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) Gloria Ekwempu in a telephone interview last night confirmed that the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has been notified about the increment, while the world tennis governing body has already indicated it on its website.
Since 2003 when the competition became an approved Pro Circuit of ITF, the total prize money has been 80,000 dollars with the men’s winners (singles and doubles) earning 30,000 dollars in the two legs event, while the women’s used to go home with 50,000 dollars. But this year, the men’s winners will take home the sum of 50,000 dollars, while the women prize money remain the same.
One of the reasons for the increase in prize money is to attract to the competition higher ranked players across the world.
The tournament, which comprises of Futures 3 and 4,is being organised annually to celebrate the sitting governor in Lagos State since the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This year’s edition will be the second under the government of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.
The Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship has over the years attracted over 400 players from more than 50 countries of the world at every edition.
Seventeen-year-old French lady, Tessah Andrianjaftrimo and Aldin Setkic of Bosnia respectively won the women and men’s singles of the first leg of 15th edition held last year, while Dutchman Antal Van Der Duim and Conny Perrin of Switzerland respectively won the men and women’s singles of the second leg.
The Governor’s Cup has been sponsored over the years by FCMB and Etisalat Nigeria and others such as Deux Projects Ltd, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, CCECC, Julius Berger Plc, Naston Ltd, LASACO Plc. and a host of other private individuals.
