Ghana To Host ITF Wheelchair Tennis Futures Tournament

Ghana would be the centre of the world's attraction from Monday, November 5-8, 2018, when the country host the rest of the world in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Dan Devan Wheelchair Tennis Futures Tournament.

The three-day international tournament to be staged at the Accra Sports Stadium Tennis Court would be a platform for both local and international tennis players who wish to add up points in a bid to qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Ghana won the right to host the tournament last year after presenting a proposal to ITF through the Ghana Wheelchair Tennis and with support from Ghana Tennis Federation.

Dan DeVan Group of companies, a logistics and construction company would be the local headline sponsor for the first ever tournament, to be played in West Africa.

Mr Daniel Nii Mensah, the Chief Executive Officer of Dan DeVan Group of Companies said at the launch that, his outfit was proud to sponsor the tournament as part of their efforts in giving back to the society.

He said that it was their wish that many of the disabled on the streets were taken off the street through opportunities such as this to help them make a living.

'Any event that has to do with Para sports we are in for it. And for the fact that many people are given the opportunity to show their talent and make a livelihood for themselves and their families, I deem it necessary for my company to support such a noble sport,' he said.

'It is going to have a very positive impact because when this tournament starts many people on the streets would be given the chance to participate and make a livelihood.'

Daniel Larbie, the National Coordinator for Ghana Wheelchair Tennis said he was particularly elated with the advantages this tournament would bring to the country. He said that it would present the federation an opportunity to enter many of their players who might have not gotten the chance to participate in an international tournament.

'Some of the players have been participating in international tournaments, so our players have been travelling far. However, it is very difficult to have people to support the players to travel. So having such tournament in Ghana is a great advantage to us because we will have a lot of our players participating so that we get the needed points for the Paralympic Games in 2020.'

The winner of the tournament would take home a minimum price reward of $3,000.