By Aderonke Ojo
Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to talent development, youth empowerment and national unity through sports.
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that Cardoso made the commitment at the grand finale of the 47th edition of the CBN Open National Tennis Championship held on Saturday in Abuja.
Represented by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali, Cardoso said the CBN had remained a proud sponsor and steadfast supporter of the championship for more than four decades.
According to him, the bank’s support is driven by its belief in the transformative power of sports, particularly tennis, as a platform for discovering talent, building character and fostering national cohesion.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria’s commitment to this championship reflects our conviction that sports can inspire excellence, create opportunities for young people and strengthen national unity,” he said.
Cardoso said the tournament had over the years produced champions who rose from humble beginnings to attain national and international recognition.
He recalled that the CBN launched the Junior Tennis Championship in 2006 as a platform for nurturing emerging talents, noting that some of the senior finalists at the current edition were products of the junior competition.
According to him, their success demonstrates the value of sustained investment in youth development, mentorship and continuity.
The governor commended all participants for their discipline, resilience and sportsmanship throughout the 10-day competition.
“Every athlete who participated is a champion in their own right. Your dedication and commitment have inspired us all,” he said.
He also appreciated the Nigerian Tennis Federation ( NTF) for its partnership and successful organisation of the championship over the years, as well as the media for promoting tennis through extensive coverage of the tournament.
Cardoso congratulated the winners and encouraged them to build on their achievements, while urging those who did not emerge victorious to remain determined and focused.
He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote sports development and youth empowerment in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Director of Finance and Accounts Department (FEAD), Mbora Ikana, commended the CBN for sustaining the championship for 47 years.
Ikana, described the bank’s commitment to tennis development as remarkable and worthy of commendation.
“Sustaining a sporting competition for nearly five decades is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to the bank’s dedication to youth development and nation-building through sports,” she said.
She said that many athletes who participated in the early editions of the competition had become parents and grandparents, while the championship continued to provide opportunities for younger generations.
She said the tournament had played a significant role in nurturing young talents and keeping youths positively engaged through sports.
Ikana thanked athletes, officials, sponsors, supporters and spectators for contributing to the success of the championship despite weather challenges experienced during the final day.
She expressed confidence that the 48th edition would be bigger and better and urged stakeholders to continue supporting the growth of tennis in Nigeria. (NAN))
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