Otumfuo Weeps ….Over Tennis Neglect

Officials of Ghana Tennis Federation in a group photograph with Otumfuo

THE ASANTEHENE, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has expressed gross concern over lack of financial and logistical support given to tennis and other lesser known sporting disciplines in the country.

He observed that football was being given too much attention and support whilst other sporting activities like Tennis and golf, are relegated to the background, a development which is not the best.

The Asante Monarch, who is an astute golfer, has therefore charged the authorities concerned to, as a matter of urgency, provide financial and logistical support for all sporting activities in the country.

He made the remark when executives of the Ghana Tennis Federation, Ashanti Regional Tennis Association and some selected tennis stars in the country, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Wednesday.

Otumfuo stated that Ghana boasts of fresh and untapped talents in all the other sporting disciplines, especially tennis, therefore the country could win more laurels on the international stage if tennis is given the needed support.

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As his own way of promoting the game of tennis, the King gave his blessings for the 'Otumfuo Open Tennis,' an annual tennis competition, aimed at promoting the game, which was mooted by the Ghana Tennis Federation.

The Asantehene was confident that Ghana will soon produce world tennis stars if the sport is given proper attention, sternly warning up-and-coming tennis stars to shun complacency and rather be disciplined and hardworking to develop properly.

For the first time in the history of tennis, the Ghana National Tennis Ranking Competition, which is used to rank tennis stars had been moved from Accra to Kumasi. The visit was used to inform Otumfuo about the ongoing competition.

Isaac Aboagye Duah, Vice President, Ghana Tennis Federation, expressed concern about the minimal financial and logistical support given to tennis in the country, adding that the 'Otumfuo Open Tennis' will help to boost the sport.

According to him, Ghana boasts of several tennis talents, who when properly guided and trained, could develop into world class tennis stars, calling for total support for tennis development in the country.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr.,Kumasi.