DavNotch Tennis Championship Resumes After Resolution of Players’ Protest
Oru Leonard
ABUJA, June 24, 2026 — The 2026 DavNotch Limited National Tennis Championship resumed on Tuesday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, following the successful resolution of a dispute between players, tournament organisers, and officials of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF).
The championship had been temporarily suspended after players staged a boycott and protest over concerns relating to prize money, participation subsidies, registration fees, welfare support, and deductions from earnings.
Normal competition resumed after a series of meetings involving player representatives, officials of the NTF, and representatives of tournament sponsor DavNotch Nigeria Limited, leading to an agreement that addressed some of the athletes’ concerns.
A major outcome of the discussions was the increase of the players’ participation subsidy from ₦15,000 to ₦20,000.
Competitors welcomed the adjustment, describing it as a positive step toward easing the financial burden associated with competing in national tournaments.
DavNotch Nigeria Limited also pledged to review player welfare issues and other concerns raised during the protest ahead of future editions of the championship.
The resolution restored confidence among players and enabled the tournament to continue after the disruption of opening-day matches.
The protest had drawn attention to long-standing concerns about the rising cost of participation in Nigerian tennis, with players citing increasing expenses for transportation, accommodation, feeding, and equipment amid prevailing economic challenges.
Some athletes argued that the ₦35,000 awarded to first-round losers was no longer adequate, while others questioned why the championship’s top prize of ₦500,000 has remained unchanged since 2017.
Players also expressed dissatisfaction with the increase in registration fees from ₦1,000 to ₦5,000 and the deduction of withholding tax from prize money, saying both measures significantly reduced their earnings.
Reacting to the development, the Nigeria Tennis Federation apologised to DavNotch Nigeria Limited for the disruption and urged players to channel future grievances through established procedures.
NTF Secretary-General, Shama Ali Makpa, acknowledged the legitimacy of the players’ concerns but maintained that the boycott was inconsistent with the federation’s rules and code of conduct.
According to Makpa, players have the right to advocate for improved welfare and playing conditions, provided such demands are pursued within the framework of the competition’s regulations.
He also clarified that the participation subsidy is separate from the tournament’s official prize-money structure and defended the deduction of taxes from prize earnings, noting that the practice aligns with standards in professional tennis competitions globally.
Despite the disagreement, both the NTF and DavNotch Nigeria Limited expressed confidence that the incident would not affect their longstanding partnership, which has seen the company sponsor the championship for six consecutive years.
With matches now back on schedule, attention has shifted to the action on the courts. However, stakeholders believe the issues raised during the protest have reignited important conversations around athlete welfare, prize-money reviews, and the need for stronger support systems for tennis players in Nigeria.
Many observers say the outcome of the Abuja discussions could pave the way for more constructive engagement among players, organisers, and sponsors as efforts continue to strengthen the development of tennis across the country.
