Earning the ITF White Badge is a major milestone for tennis officials, as it grants international recognition and qualifies them to officiate at global tournaments under the International Tennis Federation.
The trio of Joseph Edili, Bitrus Danjuma, and Dr Roseline Ogunshola has bagged the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Certification as White Badge Tennis Referees in Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire.
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Tennis Umpires Association (NTUA), Chukwunonso Nwabueze disclosed in a statement released on April 27.
According to Chukwunonso, the certification follows a rigorous and highly competitive selection process by the ITF Selection Panel and their outstanding performance at the Officiating School held from 23-27 April.
The laudable achievement is a testament of hard work, dedication and commitment to officiating duties especially in area of the interpretation of Tennis Rules by the three officials.
Chairman of the Nigeria Tennis Umpires Association, Efe Okwagbe commended the officials for doing the Nation, Nigeria Tennis Federation as well as the Association for making the country proud with their impressive outing at the School, wished them safe trip back to the country.
This cheering news is coming at a time when the country is without any ITF certified Tennis Referee after the demise of the late Arinola Isa Banire and Henry Okoro Ubochi who before their deaths were the only ITF certified Tennis Referees in Nigeria.