TENNIS AN UNDERMINED SPORT IN GHANA

I love sports no thought about that, I am also crazy about football, Yes ! its true. But some how Ghanaian's as it may be have neglected an interesting sport such as Tennis. During my leisure days on campus I watched the youthful adults play in the sun, at dawn an even at night training regularly, but not as a sport to earn a living from but just for exercise. I watch them play most of the time and come to thing of it we are probably wasting talent.

Its not the case of using Tennis for exercise, but how we as Ghanaian's are able to harness Tennis potentials just as we do in football. I am well aware of the various Tennis clubs in the country training youngsters and even the integration of Tennis in the University Games (GUSA) but after these competitions take place there isn’t any event to keep them very active in the game. This obviously does not help to unearth more talents in the country.

I am well aware of the Ghana Tennis Association activities and truly commend them on getting Ghana back into the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and insisting that players who would like to compete for the country must play in the quarterly ranking to serve as a boost onto the international scene.  

Just last year December  the likes of George Darko  and Pascal Ziyab ( ranked No.2 in Ghana)   but to mention a few got Ghana back on track in the ITF Mens Pro Circuit Futures and further  went onto get Ghana back on the ATP Ranking.   Also Wheelchair tennis has been introduced by the Ghana Tennis Association to also give the disabled the opportunity to compete. Through that the Para Olympic festival was held last year to keep these athletes active, which is quite good in terms of progress.

                                        DISABLED KIDS TRAINING

                                           DISABLED PLAYING TENNIS

                                           

With all these aids and events be organized by the GTF you would think that the current crop of tennis players in the country would have improved upon their performances in international competitions. But try to put yourself in their shoes and you will realize the needed support from government to push 

these players is not there. If only the needed attention giving to football could  somehow be shared across other sports like tennis , then our tennis players will truly have a chance to prove their worth to the world.

Even though many pundits and tennis players have complained about not earning enough and still incurring a lot of expenses on the international scene due to their travels from one tournament to another, both in the seniors and juniors.  We  simply cannot neglect the fact that it serves as a  chance for the government to pull foreigners into the country. Tennis has proved time and time again of being able to draw huge crowds from all over the world just to watch their favorite players or retired sports celebrities who have graced the court with their extra-ordinary talents. It also gives local players to engage these greats and learn from their idols personally. It will also undoubtedly draw many sponsors to the game and investors as well who would probably use the tournaments as an opportunity to go on a vacation.

The Legends Championships Tennis Tournament draws some of the top players from yesteryear to the courts at the Ritz-Carllton , Grand Cayman each year. It gives fans the opportunity to see the likes of Stefan Edberg and Martina Hingis in action again.  Last year this tournament generated more than $20,000 in cash and benefits through to the charities. 

                                            LEGENDS CHAMPIONSHIP

                                         CAYMAN COURTS

Now if such a tournament can take place in our country with our tourism centers in good care and smooth transportation services, what could possibly go wrong? It would definitely draw tennis fans. Now after all is said and done, I would like to use this medium to suggest that  reputable organizations in the country should partner  Ghana Tennis Federation  to help make it attractive and help take Tennis to new heights. Just to prove how realistic this suggestion is let’s take a look at Andy Murray as he is a living testimony of how a country can capitalize on a players glory. 

                                      MURRAY TASTES WIMBLEDON

Prior to 2013 Andy Murray had never tasted a Wimbledon one of Tennis prestigious events. After his emotional victory the country was inspired by his brilliant performance, and wanted more of that so more people picked up their racquets taking Scotland’s Tennis membership to 47,657. Their government saw the opportunity and invested £5.8 million in improving tennis facilities and widening access to the sport and not just that but they also put in place a four year investment stream to grow participation rates increase the sports accessibility and provide suitable environments to develop athletes to performance levels.

Now picture one of our own pulling that feet, it wouldn’t just force Ghana’s government to invest in the sport , it would virtually erupt the whole of Africa in the sport.