ITF J5 Tennis Tour official advises participants

Saidu Musa, Tournament Director of the ongoing International Tennis Federation (ITF) J5 Tennis Tour, on Wednesday urged all participants to be good ambassadors of the country they represent.

Musa explained in Abuja that the participants’ behaviour would in no small way determine the success of the tournament, which is basically for junior players.

He said the ongoing second edition of the ITF J5 World Tennis Tour which will end on Sunday has 70 participants from seven countries.

“The participants are from countries such as the U.S., France, Togo, Spain, Ghana, Great Britain and hosts Nigeria,” Musa said.

He disclosed that the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) applied for six weeks to host the competition which has been split into three parts.

“The first part is the ongoing on this month in Abuja for two weeks from June 13 and expected to end on Sunday.

“The second one is in Lagos in October for two weeks and the third one will be a return to Abuja in November and it will be for two weeks also.

“Right now, we are waiting for the approval for that of October in Lagos, while the one in Abuja has been approved,” the tournament director said.

He explained that the J5 event is the fifth level of junior tennis competition under the ITF.

“We have grades of J5, J4, J3, J2 and J1. The J5 grade is the smallest level of all the grades.

“The J1 grade is for junior players but with higher junior ranking, while the J5 grade is mostly for the peak beginners into the junior level.”

Musa disclosed further that another difference between the grades was the hospitality being provided for the players and coaches.

“In grade J1 to grade J3, the host country provides hospitality for the players and their coaches and this is in the area of hotel accommodation and breakfast.

“In J4 and J5, it is optional. It is not part of the expenses of the organisers. Every player in this tournament, especially foreigners and their coaches, is responsible for his or her travelling, feeding and accommodation.

“As a tournament owner, my responsibility is that we create an enabling environment to make their stay comfortable. We only organise airport transport pick-up for them and protocol to go to hotel.

“Whenever they need help, we contribute through our assistance to them. That is our commitment to them in the tournament,” he said.