NTF-CBN Tennis Championship Returns to Abuja as Launchpad for Youth Talent

ABUJA The Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) says the 46th edition of the Senior Open Tennis Championship will begin in Abuja on Monday, July 21, with finals scheduled for Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Package B of the Moshood Abiola Stadium.

The preliminary matches of the CHAMPIONSHIP will commence today, Friday, July 18, 2025.

The annual championship, organized in close partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s tennis calendar and a key platform for identifying and nurturing local talent.

 The event offers young players from across the country the opportunity to compete at a national level and gain exposure to international selection pathways.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the CBN’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi Ali, reaffirmed the Bank’s longstanding commitment to nation-building, noting the vital role young people play in national development.

She said, “Over the years, “this championship has helped young talents, providing them with a constructive outlet and a chance to showcase their abilities on a national stage.”

The NTF acknowledged the CBN’s continued support, describing it as instrumental in sustaining the growth of the sport and strengthening Nigeria’s representation in major competitions such as the Davis Cup and the African Games. 

The NTF and the CBN have collaborated for decades to ensure the tournament remains a consistent and credible pipeline for the country’s top players.

This year’s event will feature a full range of categories: men’s and women’s singles and doubles, as well as wheelchair tennis for both men and women, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to inclusive participation.

A breakdown of the tournament’s structure shows 64 players in the men’s singles draw and 32 in the women’s singles. There will be 32 doubles teams in each of the men’s and women’s categories and 16 participants in each of the wheelchair events.

Over its four-decade history, the Senior Open Tennis Championship has produced some of the country’s most celebrated names in the sport, including Sunday Maku, David Imonite, Veronica Oyibokia-Iwebema, Christy Agugbom, Sarah Adegoke, Sylvester Emmanuel, Imeh Joseph, Oyinlomo Quadri, Marylove Edwards, and others.

As the tournament prepares to welcome a new cohort of players, its longevity suggests that sport remains a meaningful part of the country’s wider youth development landscape.