Founder Alfred Koripamo Meets State Sports Leadership Ahead of 2025 Tournament
Preparations are in full swing for the second edition of the PAMO Tennis Tournament, set to take place from September 11 to 13, 2025, in Bayelsa State. The initiative, founded by Bayelsa-born sports advocate Mr. Alfred Koripamo—currently based in the United States—is designed to promote grassroots tennis development and nurture emerging talent across the region.
In anticipation of the event, Mr. Koripamo paid a courtesy visit to the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Baraladei Igali, and the Director of Sports, Mr. Andrew Aye, at the Bayelsa State Sports Council. During the meeting, he reaffirmed the vision behind the PAMO Tennis initiative: to engage young athletes meaningfully while identifying future tennis stars capable of representing Nigeria on national and international stages.
Mr. Koripamo also revealed plans to establish a dedicated tennis center in Bayelsa, contingent upon land availability from the state government. Due to current limitations in tennis infrastructure, this year’s tournament will focus on younger age categories, excluding the under-16 and under-17 divisions.
Hon. Daniel Igali praised the PAMO Tennis team for their commitment to youth development, describing the initiative as a timely and strategic effort aligned with the state’s broader sports agenda. He emphasized Bayelsa’s unique position as the only state in Nigeria with a dedicated Sports Academy and highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects—including the new stadium—as key drivers of future sporting excellence.
The 2025 PAMO Tennis Tournament promises exciting incentives for participants. First-place winners will receive a trophy, tennis bag, and racket; second-place finishers will earn a trophy and racket; and third-place winners will be awarded a tennis racket. In a bid to foster inclusivity, nearly every child participating is expected to receive a prize.
The PAMO Tennis initiative continues to gain momentum as a transformative platform for grassroots sports in Bayelsa, underscoring the powerful role of diaspora-led contributions in shaping the future of Nigerian athletics.
