NTF President Celebrates Nigerian Referees’ International Certification
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Ifedayo Akindoju, has extended heartfelt congratulations to three Nigerian tennis referees, Joseph Edili, Bitrus Danjuma, and Folashade Ogunshola following their successful certification as White Badge Referees by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
The trio achieved this significant milestone on 27th April in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, marking a new chapter in Nigeria’s tennis officiating history.
Their remarkable feat was honoured at a special reception and dinner hosted by the NTF in Abuja.
In his remarks, Akindoju praised the referees for making both the federation and the nation proud, describing their achievement as nothing short of extraordinary.
“Let me take this moment to applaud you all for returning home with the prestigious ITF White Badge certification,” he said. “The significance of your success cannot be overstated. You have not only demonstrated resilience through rigorous training and assessments but also showcased world-class officiating skills.”
He noted that the certification empowers them to officiate at high-level tournaments, including events on the ITF World Tennis Tour, and underscored the broader impact of their accomplishment.
“This is a landmark achievement that will undoubtedly raise the standard of officiating within Nigeria and contribute to the sport’s development. Certified referees like you are essential to attracting international tournaments, which, in turn, will bolster the country’s tennis ecosystem,” Akindoju stated.
He further expressed optimism that their success would inspire a new generation of officials to pursue excellence, assuring that the Federation remains committed to supporting referees in achieving professional growth.
“The NTF’s recognition of your hard work reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting excellence and development in Nigerian tennis,” he affirmed.
Chairman of the Nigeria Tennis Umpires Association (NTUA), Efe Okwagbe, on his part, expressed gratitude to the NTF President for his continuous support.
“I sincerely thank our President for always standing by us, celebrating our wins, and sharing in our challenges,” Okwagbe said. “This honour means a lot to the entire umpiring community, and we do not take it for granted.”
Securing an ITF White Badge is a significant milestone in the career of any tennis official.
It confers international recognition and qualifies referees to officiate at global events under the ITF, further establishing Nigeria’s presence on the world tennis stage.
