By: Tolulope Oluwole
…..As Odinmayo, Falana hail Sporting Clinic
The wife of the Ondo state Governor, Chief (Arabinrin) Betty Anayawu-Akeredolu has taken the Summer Tennis Clinic to the Southern senatorial district of Ondo state.
Speaking at the opening ceremony which took place at Stella Marris College, Okitipupa, Chief Betty Anayawu-Akeredolu in her remarks, appreciated parents for deeming it fit to register their wards.
Designed by Mrs Akeredolu for children between ages 4-13, the programme which commenced in 2017 has been decentralized into the 3 senatorial districts of the state to encourage more kiddies to participate from the hinterlands.
The First Lady urged the parents to make sure that their wards don’t be idle during the holiday, they should learn various skills.
The Chairperson of the 2022 organizing committee, Hon (Mrs) Olamide Falana noted that the event marks an important day in the annals of the sunshine state as the 2022 Tennis Clinic debuts in the Southern senatorial district of the state.
She added that the tennis clinic is in its fifth year in the state but the maiden edition of the decentralized event in the south, north and central senatorial zones. It is a wonderful initiative of Her Excellency to discover talents and keep the young ones productively busy during the summer holiday. Another objective of this initiative is to open minds of our young ones to the endless possibilities and wealth in the world of sports.
“Sports is beyond a hobby, it’s a way of life and means of livelihood, however, many of us in Africa have been wired to believe that football is the only sports that can shoot our children to stardom”.
“The Annual Tennis Clinic is already bringing in huge benefits with some of the past participantd already representing the state as the best participants from here are inducted into the prestigious and award winning Arabirin Junior Tennis Club for further training and mentoring,” she said.
While charging leaders in the south senatorial district to take advantage of the rare opportunity to groom giants from amongst our young ones by supporting this laudable initiative, Mrs Falana stressed that ahe annual tennis clinic has come to stay, it will only always get better by the day.
The Chairman of the opening ceremony, Hon. Jimmy Odimayo in his address, congratulated and appreciated the First Lady, Chief Betty Akeredolu for her passion for the development of the young ones which is evident, undeniable and unrelenting.
Odimayo added that this year’s edition marks a significant milestone in the continuous development of future leaders as the Ondo State Sumnmer Tennis Clinic has fanned out to other senatorial districts of the state so that more children can be given access and opportunity.
“Arabinrin continues to leave a trail of many life-impacting programs for the people of the sunshine state through all her projects. With her love for children and her desire to see Ondo State become a Tennis hub in Nigeria, she has established the Summer Tennis Clinic to nurture and promote young talents who can be the Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic of Africa. We are happy here in the south that our children will have the opportunity to be part of the success story”.
“It is not news that Ondo State Summer tennis clinic has changed the lives of some of the young participants who have now gained a sense of belonging, confidence and dreams of travelling to the world playing championships. They serve as scorecards of past editions.
Odimayo who the APC Candidate for Okitipupa/Irele federal constituency in the 2023 general election, stressed that the summer tennis clinic has made stars of Olamilekan, who participated in the Summer clinic in 2018 and was the best under 16 in the south-west, Nigeria and others like Peace Agbeie, who competed in the CBN Championship and reached the Seml-fnal, Henry Aina who got the semi-final of the Chevron Junior ‘Tennis championship. We are proud of these young chaps, and the future holds bright promises for them.
While thanking the parents who have encouraged and registered their wards, Odimayo, noted that they have taken right step in the right direction. He urged the children to take the opportunity seriously, open their minds to learning as they might be the next celebrated sports person from the country as the world recently celebrated Tobi Amusan and others.
The Ijegun Idepe of Okitipu, Oba Michael Adetoye in his goodwill message appreciated the first lady for encouraging and inspiring the young minds. He also appreciated the first lady for all she has been doing in Ondo state.
Also, Hon. Igbekele Akinrinwa, the chairman, Okitipupa local government in his own goodwill message noted that the first lady has done it, she’s doing it and will still do it. He added that Governor Akeredolu’s administration has been doing well and the people of Ondo state should be expecting more.
The event had in attendance, the Akope of Ajue, Oba Bamidele Akinwe, Chairman Irele local government, Barr. Segun Ajimotokin, chairman, Odigbo local government, Hon. Margaret Akinsuroju, APC Chairman, Okitipupa local government, Mr Bode Igunlala among others.
