Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
Benin City came alive with excitement as Crescent Sports Club staged a high-impact tennis clinic designed to identify, nurture, and develop young talents while promoting grassroots tennis development across Edo State.
The programme attracted aspiring players from various communities, turning the club’s tennis courts into a vibrant centre for learning, skills acquisition, and inspiration as participants received expert coaching and guidance.
Participants began the programme with structured warm-up drills before witnessing an engaging exhibition match featuring United States-based Nigerian tennis professional, Folake Olagbegi-Kazeem, and Nigeria’s Davis Cup captain, John Atiomo.
The exhibition match provided a rare opportunity for the young athletes to observe professional-level techniques, tactical awareness, and the discipline required to succeed in competitive tennis, setting the stage for an intensive practical training session.
Under the guidance of experienced coaches and tennis professionals, participants were introduced to key fundamentals of the game, including proper racket grip, serving techniques, forehand and backhand execution, footwork, volleying, and effective court positioning.
The practical sessions were carefully structured to accommodate players across different levels, providing beginners with a strong foundation while helping those with previous experience refine their skills and improve their overall understanding of the sport.
Speaking during the clinic, Folake Olagbegi-Kazeem expressed confidence in the potential of the young players, noting that many of the participants had already developed important fundamentals.
“About 60 per cent of the participants already have the basics. With proper refinement, their development becomes much easier.
“For those who are completely new to the game, give us a week and the improvement will be evident,” she said.
The participants also expressed excitement about the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals.
One of the young players, Michelle Obiejogo Awele, described the experience as both enjoyable and impactful, saying the knowledge gained would further strengthen her passion and commitment to tennis.
The clinic was sponsored by Architect Frank Osa Evbuomean as part of activities marking his birthday anniversary.
Speaking with journalists at the venue, Evbuomean explained that the initiative was his personal contribution towards empowering young people and investing in the future.
“This is a personal effort to celebrate life by investing in the future of these children.
“We invited young people from different communities to give them an opportunity to learn, develop, and grow,” he stated.
The President of Crescent Sports Club and co-organiser of the programme, Fred Atiomo, praised the quality of coaching and exposure provided through the clinic, describing it as a valuable platform for young athletes.
“It has been a fun and enriching experience. We are learning from some of the best hands in the game, including international players and seasoned professionals,” he said.
Organisers stressed that the clinic goes beyond introducing young players to tennis fundamentals, as it is part of a broader vision to raise the standard of the sport in Edo State by creating sustainable pathways for emerging talents to compete at national and international levels.
The tennis clinic, which continues to attract enthusiastic participation, is scheduled to run until August 8, 2026.
