By Chinedu Adonu
More than seventy-nine young tennis players from the South East and South South regions converged in Enugu for the 8th edition of the Prince Victor Uwakwe Lawn Tennis Tournament.
The tournament, titled “Prince Victor Uwakwe Under 15 and 21 Regional Tennis Tournament, was held at the Enugu Sports Club Tennis Court and featured both male and female categories: 63 male players (32 Under 21 boys and 31 Under 15 boys) and 16 female players (8 Under 21 girls and 8 Under 15 girls).
The tournament was scheduled to run from 20th-23rd of August, 2025.
In his opening speech, the sponsor, Prince Victor Uwakwe, emphasized the tournament’s goal to develop young talent into world-class tennis champions.
He expressed his commitment to providing exposure, improving facilities, and involving international bodies to ensure the growth of Nigerian tennis.
He stated that the event would continue to serve as a significant platform for young tennis talents in Nigeria, fostering growth and international competitiveness
“We are here to nurture talent, ensure competitiveness, and create an environment for growth. Our aim is to produce world champions in the coming years.
“I want to assure you the tournament will hold every year. I planned to sustain it and make sure we get the best court, training of players and coaches so that the players can compete favourable to anybody in the world and become world champion tomorrow.
“We are going to involve International bodies every year and in the next four years, players of this tournament will become the world champions,” Uwakwe stated.
The Captain of the Tennis Section, Chuma Eze, praised Uwakwe’s consistency and the tournament’s expansion from two regions to three, calling it a tradition and a progressive initiative.
He highlighted the importance of participation for social growth and learning, noting the tournament’s potential to expand further across Nigeria in the future.
“Prince Victor Uwakwe lawn tennis tournament has become a traditional here. We can take it for granted because it has taken place to 8 consecutive times and we take it as tradition. I commend the sponsor of the tournament, Prince Uwakwe, it’s not easy even going through the planning of thee event.
“It has been a competition between the South East and South South but now expanded to South West, so it’s a progressive competition. May be I. the next four years, it may be expanded to middle belt region or entire Nigeria,”he said.
It would be recalled that John Nubari and Ezeh Chidinma from Rivers and Anambra States won the Under-21 male and female category during the last edition, while Chimaobi Isaac and Ayetuoma Fego from Imo and Rivers States won the Under-15 male and female category respectively
