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NCC on competition The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Sunday gave out N17million to winners of its ‘NCC Tennis League Cup’ 2016 edition. Speaking at the grand finale of the competition in Lagos, the commission’s Executive Vice-Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, stated that the sponsorship of the league had been referred to as an economic empowerment platform for the sporting youths. The NAN reports that N7million was given to the winner of the championship, N5million to the first runner-up, N3million to the second runner-up and N2million to the third runner-up. Danbatta, represented by Mr Reuben Muoka, Head, Public Relations, NCC, stated that the league had afforded Nigeria’s best players the opportunity to confront each other on several occasions and at different venues, within a tennis -calendar year. He stated that since July 14, 2016 when the draws for 10 teams for the tournament were held, it had been weeks of intensive tennis action. As stated by him, the league has kept Nigeria’s best tennis players busy, kept managers busy, kept teams owners busy and kept tennis and sports lovers excited. “Reports reaching us indicate that this tournament is the best that has ever happened to tennis in this country in a very long time. “The NCC tennis team has also attracted foreign-based Nigerian players home to compete. “Seasoned tennis administrators and veterans, also tell us that the prize money has encouraged team owners and managers to work harder and made players more dedicated. “We are also told that in just two editions of this tournament, many more Nigerian players have achieved Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) international rankings,” he stated. Danbatta stated that the commission was delighted to know that the NCC Tennis Cup was contributing significantly to the improvement of the game and motivating both male and female players to aim for higher glory in the international tennis circuit. He stated that they had hoped that through the competition, players were able to sharpen their skills and would be able to compete internationally, win more laurels for themselves and put Nigeria on the international tennis map. Danbatta called on organizations to join the commission in the development of tennis in particular and other sports in general. .....
