By Ebenezer Osamo/Kaduna –

Tennis is not a very popular sport in Nigeria, not the least in the northern part of the country.
However, the sport has produced some great tennis players from the north such as; Sunday Emmanuel, Candy Idoko, Shehu Lawal, amongst other great tennis players.
And when the International Tennis Academy, ITA, through its partnership with the NNPC brought its Junior Circuit to the state, it was expecting a major turnout, but not many people caught the vibes.
Three days after hostilities began at the Murtala Square, Kaduna, venue of the tournament, it is apparent that many fans are unaware of how much they are missing.
The fans are missing the opportunity of watching “established” junior players such as MaryLove Edwards, Iye Onoja, Angel McCleod, Gabriel Friday, Christopher Itodo and other good players who are exhibiting raw talents at the tennis arena.

Little known Gabriel Richard and some other new players have also been putting up eye-catching performances. Sadly, thousands of young boys and girls in Kaduna are not at the venue to enjoy and learn how to play the game from the budding talents.

However, as the tournament nears its closing stages, tennis enthusiasts, coaches, parents and the players present at the Murtala Square, concurred that tennis has come to stay in KADA City if it gets more viewership and sponsorship.