Supporting has played and is still playing a major role in elevating the country’s name to higher heights at the status of international rankings and achievements.

Football no doubt dominates the greatest of the nation’s support but highly in competition with tennis whose number according to the head coach of The Gambia tennis Association, Phillip Akibogun, is considerably increasing significantly today.

In an interview with Pointsport at the tennis court at the Independence Stadium on Wednesday, Mr Phillip said tennis has been existing well before he was born but according to him, the association is well established in The Gambia in 1925.

Uncle Philip, as he is fondly called, highlighted some of the recent achievements and their action plan which includes the increase in girls participation in tennis as well as the introduction of tennis to kids in various parts of the country especially those between the ages of 6-12years.

Mr Philip also spoke of the association’s plans to organise series of tennis tournaments that will involve players of various ranks before the end of the year, the veterans participation being no exception.

He further noted that another area of development is the participation of the junior players in the sub-regional tournament in West and Central Africa with Coach Philip described as a fantastic recognition for the entire tennis association in the country.

One of the magnificent and a boastful gift by the Government was the new tennis court located at Mile 7, Mr Philip told our reporter.

He further revealed that the fencing of the new tennis court is already done noting that new tennis court is expected to be built like any modern tennis court which will include Pavilion, Dormitories, House and Courts, GYM and club Houses etc.

Philip Akibogun also highlighted the fact that financial constraints had been the major stumbling block for the Association and therefore appealed to the public to come to their rescue in order to help develop the new tennis centre by building the tennis courts.

Other constraints he highlighted were limited finance for the participation of Junior players in their overseas tournaments.

Mr Philip finally expressed hope and prayed that the game of tennis will restore its past glory.