Preparations are now in top gear towards the 3rd edition of Ondo State Sunshine Summer Tennis clinic for children slated to hold between August 27-September 6 2019, with the unveiling of the event’s banners, posters and flyers by the committee.
During a management meeting of the committee with the wife of the state governor, Arabirin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Akinyemi at the government’s house hall, Rotunda Alagbaka Akure, stakeholders were briefed about the arrangements for the clinic while more useful suggestions were given for the success of the upcoming clinic.
Mrs. Akeredolu who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Titi Adeyemi, said there is no doubt this year’s edition will be more colourful.
She applauded the suggestion to extend an invitation of partnership to some children-based corporations like ShopRite and Noodles manufacturers since it’s not a government-sponsored project.
The representative of the Sunshine Queens, Mr Dare Ogunleye promised to register 15 children for the Summer tennis clinic as registration is ongoing.
A member of the committee, Mr. Oluwatope Ayokunle, used the medium to inform the gathering about a plan to establish Arabirin Akeredolu’s Mini-Tennis recreation centre and pavilion in Ijapo estate in recognition of her passion for the development of sports in Ondo state.
In attendance was the General Manager of Ondo State Sports Council, Mr. Wale Fabuluje, Former caretaker committee chairman of Okitipupa local government, Mrs. Morenike Alaka, members of the Sunshine Queens football, popularly called Betty Akeredolu’s babes, and other stakeholders.
Mr. Wale Fabuluje while reacting to the proposal of the technical committee on the renovation of the state’s Tennis Court and provision of other logistics and solicited the assistance of philanthropists to that effect.
It would be recalled that Mrs. Akeredolu started the summer tennis clinic two years ago to boost the tennis game in Ondo state by encouraging young ones through the summer training.
During the 2018 edition where 300 children participated in the training, Mrs. Akeredolu said, “the benefits of catching our youths young, especially in sports, are enormous. Let us look at champions like Venus and Serena Williams. They all started as young children.
“Today they have become world champions winning numerous awards. We have Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Billie Jean King, just to mention a few.
“We will continue to build on this tennis clinic initiative, we will make it an annual event in order to help build our future champions”.
