Anambra State Deputy Governor, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, has opened the maiden Anambra Governor’s Cup Lawn Tennis Tournament, featuring 16 clubs from across the state.
The competition, organised by Anambra Country Club in partnership with Audi Company Limited, aims to promote sports development, discover emerging talents and encourage greater youth participation in tennis.
Speaking at the opening ceremony at the Anambra Country Club tennis courts in Awka on Wednesday, Ibezim described the tournament as an opportunity to identify promising athletes, promote healthy living and strengthen public-private partnerships in sports.
He commended the organisers and sponsors, saying the initiative aligned with the state government’s approach to encouraging private-sector participation in sports development and other sectors of the economy.
Ibezim urged the organisers to sustain the competition, noting that it supported Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of promoting physical fitness and developing sporting talent across the state.
The President of Anambra Country Club, Ejiamatu Enekwechi, said 16 teams were participating in the tournament. He described the event as part of the club’s efforts to nurture young talent and expand opportunities for youth participation in tennis and other sports.
The Managing Director of Audi Company Limited, Clems Ifezue, said the company sponsored the competition as part of its commitment to giving back to society. He announced a prize of ₦1 million for the winner, ₦500,000 for the runner-up and ₦100,000 each for the other participating teams.
The state Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Patrick Aghamba, described the tournament as an investment in talent discovery, youth development and sustainable sports growth. He called for greater involvement from corporate organisations, private investors, sports associations, clubs and host communities, stressing that the government could not develop the sector alone.
Members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Anambra State Council, led by its chairman, Patrick Anaso, also attended the opening ceremony.
