In 2004, the CO Foundation established a hostel, the so-called Natural Talents Tennis Academy (NTTA) to accommodate 25 of the most talented players of the project. The NTTA provides everything the boys and girls need such as three meals a day, medical care (if needed), transportation to school and the tennis courts, and a classroom for supervised evening lessons. Please check under Organisation for an overview of members of the Nigerian staff of the NTTA.

 

The Natural Talents Tennis Academy is recognised by the Nigerian Tennis Federation (NTF), the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT). It works closely together with the Van Hulst Tennis Academy in Valkenswaard (the Netherlands) which is responsible for the selection, training and guidance of the international players of the project. KLM has been a wonderful sponsor of the NTTA and up till today supports the players by providing free tickets for their international traveling. Also very important is the hospitality and guidance of the hostfamilies where the players stay during their 3 month training period in the Netherlands.

 

Ultimately the natural talents project has to be selfsustainable. Players who advance internationally return part of their income to the project thus financing the breeding ground for new upcoming talents. Furthermore a major achievement of the NTTA is the impact it has on the immediate surroundings of the natural talents. Money made by the professional tennis and golf players is used for improving living and schooling conditions back home creating a more enabling environment for family members in the slums.

 

Please check under results for more detailed information on the achievements of the Natural Talents of the CO Foundation. You can find individual results by clicking on the name of specific player you are interested in.