Wheelchair tennis stars hail cash prize increase
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- Written by Nan
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Wheelchair tennis stars have commended the sponsor of the New Era Wheelchair Tennis Championships, Oluremi Tinubu, for increasing the prize money of the tournament to make it more attractive.
The hitherto highest cash prize of N100,000 for best player in the men’s category and N80,000 for the overall best in the ladies group has been increased to N200,000 for both categories.
The third edition of the championships will hold at the National Stadium, Lagos from Feb. 12 to Feb. 20.
Wasiu Yusuf, the defending champion in the men’s category, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that the increase was welcome.
He said that it had led to an increase in the number of participants.
``I am happy that the prize money has been increased and that is why many more players are participating in the championships unlike the last edition in 2007,’’ Yusuf said.
He, however, appealed to the sponsor to include the doubles in the prize arrangement to enhance players’ chances of winning at the championships.
``Since prizes are given to the winners of the doubles event involving the able-bodied players, we want same to be considered for the physically-challenged.
``We play with the same rackets and the court dimension is not different from that used by the able-bodied players,’’ he said.
Tosin Dawodu, the defending champion in the ladies event, told NAN that the love for the disabled was responsible for the sponsorship of the championships by the former Lagos First Lady.
He called for the involvement of more sponsors to put players in competition shape.
``More corporate organisations should be involved in sports sponsorship. It should not be left for the government alone, as done in other parts of the world.
``At least four competitions should be held in a year, an average of a competition per quarter, which is also good for the development of the players,’’ Dawodu said. (NAN)
Sunday Trust
Wheelchair tennis stars hail cash prize increase
Category: Sports Written by Nan Hits: 2245
Wheelchair tennis stars have commended the sponsor of the New Era Wheelchair Tennis Championships, Oluremi Tinubu, for increasing the prize money of the tournament to make it more attractive.
The hitherto highest cash prize of N100,000 for best player in the men’s category and N80,000 for the overall best in the ladies group has been increased to N200,000 for both categories.
The third edition of the championships will hold at the National Stadium, Lagos from Feb. 12 to Feb. 20.
Wasiu Yusuf, the defending champion in the men’s category, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that the increase was welcome.
He said that it had led to an increase in the number of participants.
``I am happy that the prize money has been increased and that is why many more players are participating in the championships unlike the last edition in 2007,’’ Yusuf said.
He, however, appealed to the sponsor to include the doubles in the prize arrangement to enhance players’ chances of winning at the championships.
``Since prizes are given to the winners of the doubles event involving the able-bodied players, we want same to be considered for the physically-challenged.
``We play with the same rackets and the court dimension is not different from that used by the able-bodied players,’’ he said.
Tosin Dawodu, the defending champion in the ladies event, told NAN that the love for the disabled was responsible for the sponsorship of the championships by the former Lagos First Lady.
He called for the involvement of more sponsors to put players in competition shape.
``More corporate organisations should be involved in sports sponsorship. It should not be left for the government alone, as done in other parts of the world.
``At least four competitions should be held in a year, an average of a competition per quarter, which is also good for the development of the players,’’ Dawodu said. (NAN)