Lagos philanthropist Bella Disu marks 40th birthday with junior tennis development programme
Renowned philanthropist and business leader, Bella Disu, on Saturday hosted the finale of the maiden Bella Disu Open U-14 Junior Invitational Tennis Championship at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, as part of efforts to promote grassroots tennis development and discover young talents.
The tournament, organised to commemorate her 40th birthday, focused on identifying and nurturing promising tennis players through scholarships, equipment support and competitive exposure.
The initiative received commendation from the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Lekan Fatodu, who described it as a significant contribution to the state’s sports development agenda.
According to Fatodu, programmes such as the Bella Disu Open provide structured pathways for young athletes to discover and develop their talents while promoting sustainable growth in sports.
“Programmes like the Bella Disu Open create pathways for young people to discover and grow their talents within structured systems. Sustainable sports development must be driven by consistency, access and opportunities,” he said.
Fatodu reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Government to supporting initiatives that strengthen talent development and expand youth participation in sports across the state.
He noted that the championship aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision of advancing youth and developmental sports through improved infrastructure, institutional reforms and stronger collaboration with the private sector.
The tournament is expected to serve as a platform for identifying future tennis stars while encouraging greater participation of school-age children in the sport.
