TheCable

Seyi Makinde, Oyo state governor, says his administration wants to produce tennis stars like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Taiwo Adisa, chief press secretary to the governor, who represented him at the opening of the “Gov Seyi Makinde Tennis Tournament” at the Ibadan recreation club on Tuesday, said his government will do everything to encourage the development of talents in the game.

Adisa said the state’s current administration is ready to develop sports and produce as many talents as possible across different sports — from the tennis tournament which was organised by the ministry of youth and sports development.

“We want to develop as many of these talents as possible and have our own Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Kevin Anderson, who is about the highest ranked tennis player from the continent of Africa,” Makinde said.

“I believe that from Oyo State, a tennis talent shall emerge very soon. Mubarak (Ganiyu) is here and he is a great tennis talent that we have discovered. He is 13 years old and has beaten me several times. So, we will encourage him.

“We do hope by God’s grace that he may, one day, be our own Djokovic, number one player in the world. That is how tall our dream about tennis is.

“I’m very happy to see these young talents. This is what we want to do in Oyo State.”