Follow Us on Google
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
No fewer than 96 male and female players will participate in this year’s 46th edition of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Tennis Tourney, scheduled to serve off in Abuja on July 21.
The breakdown of the schedule, according to the Apex bank, indicates that 64 players will be participating in the men’s singles, while 32 players will feature in the women’s singles.
The apex bank also disclosed that there will be 32 doubles teams in both men’s and women’s categories, while there are 16 players each in the wheelchair men singles, wheelchair men doubles, wheelchair women singles, and wheelchair women doubles.
Speaking at a media unveiling of the championship in Abuja on Wednesday, its Acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, announced that the preliminary matches would commence on Friday this week.
She further disclosed that the tournament will serve off at the Package ‘B’ of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, on Monday, with the finals slated for Saturday, July 26, 2025 at the same venue.
On the aim of the tournament, she stated that; “the championship remains to provide a strong platform for discovering, nurturing, and developing young talents and deploying them to represent the country at international tennis tournaments such as the Davis Cup and the All-African Games, among others.”
“Over the years, it has served as a platform to help young talents leave the streets, providing them with opportunities to channel their energy positively and showcase their talent. We appreciate the Nigeria Tennis Federation our longstanding partners who have consistently mobilised players and ensured their effective and impressive participation in the annual event.
“The 2025 championship is expected to feature various categories, including men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and wheelchair categories in both men’s and women’s singles.
“A breakdown of the schedule indicates that 64 players will be participating in the men’s singles, while 32 players will feature in the women’s singles.
There are 32 doubles teams in both the men’s and women’s categories, while there are 16 players each in the Wheelchair Men Singles, Wheelchair Men Doubles, Wheelchair Women Singles, and Wheelchair Women Doubles.
“Over the years, the CBN Senior Open Tennis Championship has produced renowned stars, including Sunday Maku, David Imonite, Veronica Oyibokia-Iwebema, Christy Agugbom, Sarah Adegoke, Sylvester Emmanuel, Imeh Joseph, Oyinlomo Quadri, and Marylove Edwards, among others.
“The CBN Senior Open Tennis Championship remains Nigeria’s flagship tennis competition. It continues to serve as a crucial selection ground for major continental and global tournaments, such as the Davis Cup and the All-Africa Games,” she said.
