By Tolulope Oguntimehin 

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has officially declared the 2024 Davis Cup Africa Group III qualifiers  open in Abuja.

In his address, the minister highlighted the significance of tennis in Nigeria, noting that it is one of the nation's strongest sports, with passionate support from its citizens.

Reflecting on Nigeria's history of producing top tennis players, he emphasized the opportunity for promotion to Euro Africa Group II. "I urge the athletes to seize this opportunity with both hands. I am rooting for Nigerian athletes to secure promotion to the next stage. The country is behind them, and we are hosting to win," he stated.

The minister assured the six participating countries of a warm welcome and a successful tournament.

Earlier, the President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Dayo Akindoju, welcomed all participants to Nigeria, assuring them of the country's hospitality throughout the tournament. He also commended the minister for his dedication to being present at the opening ceremony, noting its significance for the sport.

Former President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Sani Ndanusa, also attended the opening ceremony. He encouraged the athletes to strive for the promotion spot and praised their performances thus far. "I am highly impressed with what I have seen so far. I believe Nigeria can come out on top, but the players must work hard and not take anything for granted," he concluded.