Coach of Nigeria’s Beach Tennis team Abdulmumin Babalola has attributed their success at the first ever Africa Beach Games in Sal, Cape Verde to hard work and dedication.
Team Nigeria clinched Silver medal in Beach Tennis at the first-ever Africa Beach Games in Cape Verde on Sunday.
The team, comprising Christie Agugbom and Blessing Samuel came second having won 2 out of 3 matches played in the women’s doubles category.
The duo had earlier lost their opening game to Morocco but bounced back to win their last two games against host Cape Verde and Algeria.
Babalola said,”First of all, I worked on their fitness level and techniques, because the beach tennis movement is different from normal tennis movements.
“It’s all about hard work and determination, from the training ground to the match ground all I asked from them is to give me their 100% and it worked,” Babalola told www.ntftennis.com.
The 34-year-old coach also stressed the importance of introducing the game to kids in Nigeria and he is optimistic that if that is done, the country will produce a world champion.
“It is better to introduce the game to our kids because it is fun and it’s a smart game for the kids. I think the President should try and work on this, since the game is still new. I believe we can have world champion in the nearest future in this game.
54 African Countries are competing in 11 sports: Athletics, Basketball (3X3), Beach handball, Coastal rowing, Beach football, Beach tennis, Beach volleyball, Karate kata, Kite surfing and Open water swimming.
