ADEYEMI ROBINSON-ADEFIOYE, LAGOS
The Chairman Security Committee of the ITF Lagos Open, MAJOR BABATUNDE PANOX (RETIRED) has promised that zero tolerant on theft would continue, especially at the GRAND FINALE of the fixtures 2 finals.
MAJOR PANOX (rtd) who made these known in an exclusive interview with www.sunrisetimes.com.ng said the dynamics of change the change is no other thing than to plan ahead for all sort of scenarios and hope for the best.
MAJOR PANOX further said since the status of event has moved to another level, the Security Committee of LAGOS OPEN has to no choice than to be more proactive in all endeavours in terms of security.
“Dynamics of change, the change is that you can’t do any other thing than to plan and keep planning for all sort of scenario and hope for the best which we have always done in Lagos, we plan for the best and worse.
“During the Press briefing especially when International Tennis Federation (ITF) jacked up our status, we drew the attention of all our security personnel that this has now gone beyond the Lagos State and National event, it is now International because higher ranking players will now come to Lagos Open.
” Before, players who have interest to participate in ITF Championship can register but now the level has gone up, all eyes are on Lagos Open and we cannot afford not to tighten our security.
“ Each successive Government as you and this current dispensation are up to the task, they are aware that human life is sacrosanct that is why we always plan maximally to ensure maximum security for everybody.
” We plan for it, we put structure in place, among the security personnel, the commissioner for Police is there, we work together, it like gloves in hands and hands in gloves fixed together” .
He stressed that the SECURITY COMMITTEE was able to cub theft during the tournament with the cooperation of undercover (Operators) Security personnel and promising a hitch free final on Sunday.
“The spectators should be expecting the best, we all saw a Burundian girl winning the fixures 1, and you saw how the final of the first leg went security wise, we can assure people to come.
“the police, civil defence, Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corp( LNSC), LASTMA together with SSS are part of the security, we even we wrote to Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG zone 2, because Lagos Open has come to stay” MAJOR PANOX said.
