By: Titus Oise, Benin.
The ancient city of Benin witnessed a vibrant display of emerging sporting talents, as Crescent Sports Club hosted a tennis clinic aimed at nurturing young players and promoting grassroots development of the sport.
The club’s tennis courts came alive with energy as participants engaged in structured warm-up drills before observing an exhibition match featuring United States-based Nigerian tennis professional Folake Olagbegi-Kazeem, alongside Nigeria’s Davis Cup captain, John Atiomo.
The exhibition set the tone for an intensive hands-on training session.
Participants were subsequently guided through core tennis techniques, including racket grip, serving, forehand and backhand strokes, footwork, volleying, and court positioning.
The practical sessions were tailored to accommodate both beginners and players with prior experience. Speaking during the clinic, Folake Olagbegi-Kazeem expressed optimism about the participants’ potential.
She noted that a significant number already demonstrated promising skills.
“About 60 per cent of the participants already have the fundamentals. With proper refinement, their development becomes much easier. For those who are new to the game, give us a week and the improvement will be evident,” she said.
The young participants expressed enthusiasm about the uncommon experience. One of them, Michelle Obiejogo Awele, described the training as both enjoyable and impactful, adding that the knowledge gained would influence her continued interest in tennis.
The initiative was sponsored by Architect Frank Osa Evbuomwan as part of activities marking his birthday anniversary.
Speaking to journalists at the venue, he explained that the programme was his way of giving back to society.
“This is a personal effort to celebrate life by investing in the future of these children. We invited young people from across communities to give them an opportunity to learn and grow,” he stated.
The President of the club, Mr Fred Atiomo, commended the quality of coaching and exposure provided at the clinic.
“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 emphasized that the clinic is designed not only to build foundational skills but also to raise the standard of tennis in Edo State by creating pathways for young talents to compete at national and international levels.
The tennis clinic is scheduled to run through August 8, 2026.
