…Africa Events Management Ltd to organize National Open Tournament in honour of Akpabio
By Peter Jatau, Abuja.
ABUJA – Preparations are in top gear for the maiden edition of the Senate President National Open Lawn Tennis Championship, scheduled to hold from October 4 to 11, 2025, in Abuja and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The event, officially titled His Excellency Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio National Open Tennis Championship 2025, is being organized by Africa Events Management Ltd in collaboration with the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF).
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Chairman and CEO of Africa Events Management Ltd, Rt. Hon. Prince Kolawole Mathew, revealed that the championship has received the backing of the Senate Committee on Sports Development, as well as the endorsement of the National Assembly leadership, under Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Rt. Hon. Mathew disclosed that the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Development, Senator Abdul Ningi, facilitated a crucial meeting between his team and the Senate President, during which the proposal for the tournament was warmly received.
Also present at the meeting was Rotimi Akinloye, a representative of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, who expressed the federation’s readiness to partner on the initiative.
According to Mathew, the championship aims to promote tennis development in Nigeria, engage Nigerian youths in positive sporting competitions, and use sports as a vehicle to foster unity, discipline, and talent discovery.
“This tournament is not only to honour the Senate President’s effective leadership at the National Assembly, but also to create a lifestyle and competitive sporting platform for Nigerian youths. It is about giving them something to aspire to, and connecting them to opportunities through sports,” he said.
He also commended the Senate President for graciously hosting the delegation and pledging full support for the initiative.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio used the occasion to call on the Nigerian private sector to increase its investment in the development of sports across the country.
“The private sector can drive sports in Nigeria. Let them come in and assist us. Competitions like this are important, not just for sport’s sake, but for attracting private interest, nurturing student-athletes, and raising future champions who can make Nigeria proud,” Akpabio said.
With the tournament set to take place across two major cities, organizers say it will become a flagship event in Nigeria’s tennis calendar, opening more doors for youth empowerment and international participation in the sport.