Nigeria’s most successful tennis player, Nduka Odizor, says the country’s tennis players need sponsors to be able to make an impact in the sport.
Odizor told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday that the best players in the world are those who are heavily supported by corporate organisations. He said, “I was fortunate to get a sponsor in my time and that was one of the reasons I excelled. “I believe that sports development in Nigeria can grow better if only private companies or organisations lend a hand to at least one sport as it is done in Europe and the rest of the world. “For instance, world number one Andy Murray was supported by the Bank of England in his early days as a player.“He got other sponsors who have helped get him to the top.”
Odizor added, “Having said so, companies should include such in their Corporate Social Responsibility annually to help the growth of sports in the country. “If this can be achieved, Nigeria will be on the right track to dominating in sports. “Attention should be given to other sports too like it is to football. Yes, globally football gets more attention but Nigeria is taking it to the extreme. “Nigerian tennis players need to constantly feature in tournaments because that’s the way to get better. “Exposure is one thing that’s very important in tennis because it is a game where if you do not start early you will not go far. “Confidence level improves when you meet and learn one or two techniques from an opponent and that goes a long way to help your career.”
The retired player, popularly called The Duke, said the Ministry of Sports and the Nigeria Tennis Federation should not be saddled with the responsibility of organising and sponsoring athletes to competitions. “In the US, it is a different ball game entirely; the responsibility does not sit on the state government but shared among everyone who is a stakeholder in the sport.
“But here in Nigeria, the case is different. I understand that they both have full responsibility entrusted on them but they have little they can achieve with this. “The NTF relies on funds got from the ministry and the ministry has so many federations to cater for. “The federations are trying their best and I must commend them. “Most times when they approach organisations and individuals they turn down their appeals for help having in mind that the ministry is providing funds.”
Punch