Lawn Tennis: Like Father, Like Son

[No Smoking]

Europe/Africa Zone Group I
2nd Round Play-Offs, 18 - 20 September 2009
Great Britain 2-3 Poland

Poland took the deciding rubber against Great Britain to send the nine-time champion down to Group II for the first time since 1997.

GB has not produce a World beater since Fred Perry ruled the tennis world between 1934 and 1938. Today, they sunk to a new low, relegated to Group II.

Henman was the last home-grown success on the world stage. Greg Rusedski was a Canadian-born British who returned to play for GB. Andy Murray went to train in Spain as a youngster.

On the Nigerian / African scene, here is the picture.
South Africa rose from Group I last March and is now in the World Group, 2009 - Play-off

Group II
Algeria and Egypt played in Group II during 2009. Algeria lost her footing, now relegated to play in Group III in 2010.

Group III A, Final positions, May09:
1. Estonia, 2. Turkey, <==== Promoted to play in Europe/Africa Zone Group II in 2010
3. Luxembourg, 4. Greece, 6. Iceland, <=== To play in Europe Zone Group III in 2010
5. Madagascar, 7. Rwanda, 8. Botswana, <=== To play in Africa Zone Group III in 2010

Group III B, Final positions, May09:
1. Norway, 2. Bosnia-Herzegovina, <==== Promoted to play in Europe/Africa Zone Group II in 2010.

3. Morocco, 4. Tunisia, 6. Nigeria, 7. Namibia, <=== To play in Africa Zone Group III in 2010
5. Andorra, 8. San Marino <=== To play in Europe Zone Group III in 2010


Group 1V, Final positions, May09: 1. Ghana, 2. Zimbabwe, 3. Cote d'Ivoire, 4. Armenia, 5. Cameroon

Europe/Africa Zone Group IV will be merged with Group III from 2010 onwards. There will be a Europe Group III and an Africa Group III.

Nigeria had three main players in the mid-late 60s, namely Lawrence Awopegba, Thompson Onibokun and Yemisi Allen. Did the NLTA pursue a systematic program to ensure a steady stream of players were produced? Maybe not. If I recall correctly, a parent (Victor Dorgu?) was keen enough to sponsor his daughter to follow the junior girls games.

We may soon read the NLTA celebrating 150yrs, like the moribund Cricket Board did recently.