Paul Ekene has won the maiden edition of the Ichie Ofia Memorial Lawn Tennis Tournament held at the Ezeokpu Civic Centre tennis court in Ichida, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Ekene emerged champion after a week-long competition and received a cash prize of one million naira from the sponsors. The first runner-up, Alphonsus Agupusi, went home with five hundred thousand naira, while other participants received consolation prizes.
Speaking after the tournament, Chika Egbuna, first son of the late Ichie Ofia and one of the sponsors, said the event was organized in honour of their father, Mathias Egbuna, whom he described as a man of exemplary character who contributed significantly to the development of Ichida community. He explained that the competition was open to players aged forty years and above, drawn from the South-East region, and assured that the tournament would become an annual event.
The Chairman of the Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Mr Patrick Onyedum, commended the sponsors for their investment in sports, noting that such initiatives enhance mental health and promote development across sporting disciplines. He added that the tournament aligns with the vision of Governor Chukwuma Soludo for sports development in the state.
Also speaking, the President General of the Ichida Progress Union, Mr Uche Enechi, who presented prizes to the winners, said the competition would help promote lawn tennis in Anambra State and the South-East region, while encouraging youths to develop interest in the sport.
