Calabar agog as Senator John Enoh hosts second edition of the Renewed Hope and People First National Tennis Open
The Honourable Minister of State for Industry who once served Nigeria as the 36th Minister of Sports , hosted players from across Nigeria for days , to the second edition of the Renewed Hope and People First National Tennis Open,Calabar 2024 .
The finals took place on the 7th of December on the hard court of the Calabar Sports Club 1898.
Nubari and Rebecca stole the show at the finals of the tournament after pipping their opponents Aliyah Precious and Timiprie Maxwell ,to walk home with cash prizes,gifts and trophies.
With an electric crowd cheering the players’ concerted efforts as hard hitters,who display wonderful backhand with utmost precision, playing very calculated games with their hands while talking with their racquets.
The thrilling encounter is annually staged to promote the growth and development of tennis in Cross River State and Nigeria as a whole .
The focus is for players in the state to have the needed exposure to excell in the game of tennis while fostering the spirit of unity and sportsmanship amongst Nigerians and sports lovers.
The tournament aligns with the Minister’s commitment to youth empowerment, national unity, and grassroots sports development ;a vision inspired by the Renewed Hope agenda. The grand finale not only celebrated athletic excellence but also reinforced the importance of industry, tourism, and sports as catalysts for socioeconomic development.
The Chief Host of the tournament ,Senator John Owan Enoh, who served Nigeria as the 36th Sports Minister and currently the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, FIMTI, made it clear, that although he was no longer Sports Minister, he will continue to support the growth and development of Tennis and football in Cross River State his home state.
He said:
‘I will continue to give young Cross Riverians who show excellence and hard work, the platform to excel right to the Zenith of tennis and football.”
Senator John Enoh committed to increasing the prize money through every edition of the tournament ,and challenged players in the state to make it to the finals.
The Minister further announced his plan for a football talent hunt across Cross River State early in 2025. He stated that early exposure is good for football talents.
To buttress his commitment, he said:
” This is a clarion call to Cross Riverians ,that there is an opportunity and early support for those who show seriousness to excell in tennis and football. I am ready and willing to give the needed support .”
In addition, the Minister of State for Industry appreciated the efforts of His Excellency Prince Bassey Edet Otu ,the Executive Governor of Cross River State for his passion towards sports development in the state such that he embraced the tournament into the grand annual Calabar Festival. The Minister also acknowledged the enthusiasm of the Sports Commissioner Hon. Agnes Atsu, noting that the performance of Team Cross River at the 8th edition of the National Youth Games in Asaba ,Delta State showed great improvement from their previous performance, and this speaks monumentally of the efforts put in by the leadership of the state.
The Chief Host and Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh told newsmen that sports is integral in promoting national unity and development .
The second edition of the tennis tournament saw an array of dexterous and ranked tennis players in Nigeria.Female Nigeria no.7 Rebecca Ekpenyong, no. 11, Timiprie Maxwell and Amarachi Odoh ,Nigeria no. 24. Others include Aliya Precious, Universal Tennis Ranking U-14, U-16 Champion Bayelsa State and John Nubari who emerged winner was one time U-16 champion in Rivers State.
Senator John Enoh donated Tennis equipments for the continuous training of young tennis talents in Cross River State , sponsorship to other National tournaments for Charles Olom and Theresa Otu of CRS,for their maximum sports exposure .
High point of the day was the presentation of cash prizes,gifts and trophies to players not forgetting the presentation of awards of honour to the outstanding coach of the tournament, Ekpenyong Peter Effiong and the Honourable Minister of State for Industry in recognition of his continuous support towards the growth and development of tennis in Cross River State and Nigeria.
Winners in both men and female categories went home with N350,000 each, the first and second runners up got N250,000 and N150,000 respectively while the four quarter-finalists went home with N100,000 each with first round losers getting N50,000 each.
