Tanya’s Father, Arc. Okpala (center) Receiving The Fund From Top Executives Of Lagos Lawn Tennis Club On Sunday.
The rehabilitation process of the ailing Nigerian tennis star, Tanya Okpala received a big boost recently, as the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club gifted her the sum of Five million Naira.
On hand to present the cheque on behalf of the Club was the President, Mr. Temitope Abere, at a colourful event which was graced by executives, trustee members, and distinguished members and guests of the club at the Lord Rumens Centre Court, Onikan Lagos.
The President, while making the presentation, said the gesture was part of the Club’s way of supporting outstanding sportsmen and women in the country.
He paid glowing tributes to Tanya Okpala whose tennis career was nurtured at the club, following which she went on to win laurels for the country.
“We at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club sympathize with the Okpala family at this trying period of Tanya’s rehabilitation process and we pray that she will get well soon to continue to do what she loves to do most which is to play Lawn Tennis. We all know that in this day and age, five million is a lot of money to come up with especially in a club based on membership, but the issue here is, that we are very sad that one of the daughters of this club got ill, so we got ourselves together to contribute some money to support the family.
“We know that Anambra State Government is doing their best too, we know that our little support is going to go a long way as well,” Abere said.
He reiterated that the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club remains committed to nurturing young talents and promoting sports in the country. We look to partnering more with the government, relevant stakeholders, and the private sector on ways to further promote the growth of the game of Lawn Tennis in the country.”
The club’s Vice President, Ladi Adekunle, added that they will keep supporting Tanya beyond this donation, “Our prayer is that Tanya will continue to get good care so that she recovers in good time and continues to do what she loves to do best, play lawn tennis. We will continue to support the Okpalas in any way we can.”
Responding, Tanya’s father, Arc. Joel Okpala who flew in from Anambra State for the purpose was full of joy and gratitude for the club’s kind gesture.
“I am very happy today that the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club of which I am a member and where my daughter’s talent was groomed and horned before she traveled out has remembered us. It shows that they truly care for us. On behalf of my family, I say a big thank you to them.”
Tanya Okpala came into the national limelight as a teenage tennis star in the 90s, when at the age of 14, she became Nigeria’s number 1 in ladies’ tennis ranking.
She was a regular player at the LLTC lawns before travelling out of the country for professional exploits.
