The wife of Anambra State Governor, Nonye Soludo, has paid for the application of ex-tennis star Tania Okpala, to join a lawn tennis club as she continues her rehabilitation in the state.
Okpala was a former national tennis champion, who grew up in Onikan area of Lagos State – three minutes away from the popular Lagos Lawn Tennis Club and rose to prominence in Nigeria, having defeated every player in all the competitions she participated in.
The ex-tennis star was not only a multiple national champion, she became Nigeria’s number one female tennis player at the age of 15 and represented the country and Africa at major international events.
Not only was Okpala one of the most outstanding players at Howard University which produced Hollywood superstars like late Chadwick Boseman, Taraji P. Henson, P. Diddy and others, she also rose to become the team captain during her time there.
Earlier,Voice of Nigeria gathered that while narrating her ordeal to Nonye Soludo, Okpala who hails from Nkpologwu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, said she was a US based tennis champion but due to bad peer influence became a crack cocaine addict.
She also explained that she had the best of education in and outside the country. Okpala, whose mother is from Belarus, said she lost her mother to cancer a few years ago and ever since has not been able to get over her death.
According to the former US based tennis champion, she has a 6 year old daughter currently staying with her father in Nkpologwu and urged the governor’s wife to help her reunite with her daughter.
The former US based tennis champion, who was found late January this year wandering the streets of Awka, the State capital, was captured in a viral video on social media. She looked distressed and unstable in the video, prompting quick response by the Anambra State Government to rescue, rehabilitate and reunite her with her family.
Meanwhile, Anambra first lady stated that as Okpala’s number one fan, she was excited to watch her play tennis again.
The Governor’s wife who walked from Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia to the City Sports Club, Awka, to watch the first lawn tennis training session of Okpala, noted that the training is part of the preparedness recovery routines for the ex-tennis star, as she believed that it will keep her busy, focused and mentally balanced.
While applauding Okpala’s efforts in the training, the governor’s wife appraised her footwork, flexibility and understanding of the game.
She added that she is committed to Tania’s fully recovery, disclosing that while she will be kept engaged positively, her admission into tertiary institution where she will further her studies, is already being prepared.
Speaking via his X page on the development, Governor Soludo said, “Tania Okpala is back on the courts!”
“A few months ago, social media was flooded with a viral video showing Tania in a distressing state on the streets of Awka. I am pleased to report that we have successfully restored Tania to her winning ways.”
“Today she was at a lawn tennis court in town to do what she knows how to do best. I sincerely appreciate my darling wife, Nonye Soludo, for her total commitment to the course of rehabilitating and reintegrating Tania into society. May Anambra continue to win!,” Soludo concluded.
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