"We are Exceedinly Happy by Nigerians Responses to the NCC Tennis League" - Danbatta

The Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, this morning at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan said the Nigerian Communications Commission is exceedingly happy with responses from tennis enthusiasts and all Nigerians to the NCC Tennis League.

Members of Team Oluyole and Team Civil Defence after today's matches.

Speaking through Mrs. Iyabode Solanke, NCC's Director of Research and Development, who led Commission's delegation to Ibadan on his behalf, Danbatta said the objective of the tennis tournament is to capture the beauty in the energy of the Nigerian youth for values more edifying to the nation such as sports.

Mr. Godwin Kienka of the International Tennis Academy, NCC's partners in the League; Iyabode Solanke, Director Research and Development NCC; Yomi Arowosafe, Principal Manager Licensing and Member of NCC Tennis Team; Omoniyi Ibietan, Head Online Media and Special Publications NCC and Member of NCC Tennis Team; Gboyega Makinde, General Manager Oyo State Sports Council; and Babatunde Popoola, Director Sports and Training, Oyo State Sports Council and President Nigerian Basketball Refrees Council at Ibadan.

In addition, "Tennis had brought so much glory to the nation in the past. So, we see a great need to re-enact the strides of the past and even surpass them, so our nation will also be known for exploits in other sports aside football" Danbatta said to a team of players and other aficionados of tennis at the Tennis Court of the expansive Stadium in Adamasingba.

Danbatta appealed to the youth to find space in the tournament to nurse their potentials because that is more profitable and glorifying than to indulge in activities that are reprehensible. He promised that the Commission will continue to collaborate with other genuine stakeholders to showcase the very best of Nigerian sports, arts and culture.

The NCC Tennis League is in its third year and every year new tennis teams enrol to participate in the tournament. Two weeks ago the 2017 NCC Tennis League commenced at the National Stadium in Abuja. The first round robin matches held at Ekiti, Lagos and Jos last week. The matches at Ibadan today is a continuation of the round robin matches. More matches were also played today at Lagos and Port Harcourt.