Onitsha Country Club Construct’s 300 Capacity Tennis Pavilion, to Establish Tennis Academy

By Ikemefuna Asika

Onitsha Country Club is constructing a N100 million 300 capacity tennis pavilion to house its proposed tennis academy.

President of Onitsha Country Club, Anaetonwa Kingsley Ajulufo, made the disclosure while conducting news men around the project site within the club premises.

“What you are seeing here is the construction of Onitsha Country Club 300 capacity tennis pavilion.

‘There used to be a bungalow here that had existed for 30 years but because we are landlocked and we are looking at improving the infrastructures we have in the club, that is why we demolished the bungalow so we can be able to erect a new pavilion, he stated.

He pointed out that the tennis pavilion will house tennis academy as it is desire of the club teach kids of Fegge how to play tennis.

‘This sports pavilion will house tennis academy because this club wants to bring the kids of Fegge together and teach them how to play tennis, so that is one of the reasons for what we are doing here, we have their hall and changing room here as well as the staff quarters. The first floor will house the pavilion’.

On the funding for the project, Ajulufo stated that it came from the members of the club, philanthropist and friends of the club. He called on government to support them bearing in that it is a sports club.

‘ This project is one hundred million Naira self sponsored, that is the target we made for this project and so far, so good God has been faithful. The assignment we gave ourselves is that in six months time we should be able to complete this project’

‘ We are also calling on government to come and support us as we plan to take Fegge kids off the streets, which is not going to be easy even though this a sports club.

“Everything you are seeing here is money been brought by members, freewill donations from men of good will in the society, so far this is our source of funding the project’ he stated.

He also disclosed that the club is also going to construct a miniature football pitch so as to expand the sports members can take part in.

‘ we are converting a part of the club that used to house badminton court to a miniature football pitch, you know it is the inthing now, most business men in their 40’s and 50’s play football ball once they out from business, so that is why we want put up the miniature football pitch so that members can use it to play 5-aside game’.

On the issue maintenance of the facilities, he pointed out though he is in the final phase of his tenure, he believes that the club will be able to elect a capable successor who will continue the good work he has done.

He also disclosed that hopefully when project is completed and the face-lift of other tennis facilities are done, the club will be able to host national tournaments.

‘Once this pavilion is set, I believe we should be able to get national accreditation, some of those national tennis they play in Abuja, Lagos, they can also come here and play’

He advised people to take to regular exercise to keep fit.