Onitsha Country Club Breaks Ground on New Tennis Academy, Sports Pavilion Worth N100M Naira …Honours Distinguished, Respected Personalities In The Society with Awards, Presents Medals To Club’s Demolition Squad

By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha

In a significant step towards its goal of becoming the premier club in Nigeria, the Onitsha Country Club celebrated the groundbreaking of a new Tennis Academy and a 300-capacity Sports Pavilion on November 23. The event also featured the honouring of six distinguished and respected personalities in the society with Honorary Patron Awards and the presentation of medals to the club’s “Demolition Squad.”

The “Demolition Squad,” as explained by the Club President, Chief Anietonwa Kingsley Ajulufo, comprises the club’s top players who defend its honour in tennis and table tennis tournaments.

The ceremony began with a prayer and blessing of the project site by Rev. Fr. Peter Areh from Immaculate Heart Parish, Fegge, who is also a club member.

The official laying of the foundation stone took place within the club premises in Fegge, Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sir Tony Ezenna (Ijele of Akokwa), who is also the Chairman of Orange Drugs Pharmaceuticals Ltd, expressed strong confidence in the project’s timely completion.

“In the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the President has said it will not take more than six months for this place to be ready,” said Chief Ezenna, who was represented by Chief Ifeanyi Ojimba (Ekwueme Akokwa), Chairman of Transtel Group WA Ltd. “I believe that Onitsha Country Club has what it takes to finish it even sooner. We are doing this with passion and confidence, knowing fully well that in five months’ time, this project will be completed.”

In his welcome address, President Chief Ajulufo commended Chief Ezenna for enabling the long-prioritized project. He revealed that the BOT Chairman had challenged him to identify a key goal for his second term, to which Chief Ajulufo proposed the pavilion.

“Our tennis academy aims to mobilize children residing in Fegge and teach them how to play tennis. We want to secure the future of tennis in Fegge,” Chief Ajulufo stated. He highlighted the club’s tennis prowess, noting they have won the Fada Pita Tournament, which involves clubs across Anambra State, for four consecutive years.

“We were the champion in ping pong at the just concluded Dynamic Sports Club International tournament in Chicago, USA.

Chief Ajulufo credited Chief Ezenna’s humility and swift financial support for turning the plan into reality. “His support empowered me to demolish the old bungalow here and begin constructing this new pavilion.” He also added that the project worth not less than One Hundred Million Naira, 100M Naira.

Following the groundbreaking, six distinguished and respected personalities in the society were honoured with Honorary Patron Awards. One of the awardees, Chief Ifeanyi Ojimba, expressed being overwhelmed by the recognition. “I don’t think I deserved it, but since I have been recognized, I give God the glory,” he said, pledging to ensure all funds for the project are judiciously used.

Other contributors to the event emphasized the project’s importance. Patrick Ndubuisi Aniekwe, Chairman of the Building Committee, stated the pavilion’s aim is to “catch the children of Fegge young” for tennis. The Vice President of the club, Barr. Dr. Ikenna Ibeh, added that the core idea is to train local children to become world-class players, potentially as a profession.

In an interview, Hon. Mimi Ifeoma Azikiwe, representing the Special Guest of Honour and Club Ambassador, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, commended the club for its initiative. He described the project as a testament to the strong will of Anambra people and their ability to make great things happen when they come together.

Other members who received Honorary Patron Awards were:

· High Chief Okwuchukwu Anthony Madu
· Chief Moses Umeh, CEO of Moses and Kosi Enterprises Ltd
· Chief Sir Daniel Chukwudozie of Dozzy Group of Companies
· Chief Sir J.I Ukeje, Chairman of Ejison Group of Companies
· High Chief Ogonna Olisah of C Ray Group of Companies

The event saw contributions and commendations from several other members, including Sir Willington Asiegbu Uzoechi (Onwa Umuahia), who praised the current leadership for bringing unprecedented development and projects to the club.