Brighter days appear to be ahead for ailing former tennis champion, Tania Okpala, who hails from the Nkpologwu Community in Anambra State, following a visit to her by the Nigeria Olympic Committee.
Recall that Anambra State Government had earlier this year, rescued the former champion, who was homeless in the streets of Awka, the state capital, and involved in drugs.
Following her rescue, Tania had been moved into a rehabilitation center in Awka, where she was undergoing treatment and psychological evaluation and correction.
The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) team, who came to visit, was first received by the Anambra State Commissioner For Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, in her office in Awka.
The team led by the Chairman of NOC Women’s Commission, Florence Adeyoju, in their remarks, appreciated the state government for its prompt response towards Rehabilitating the Nigeria ex-champion Okpala.
They further expressed gratitude to the wife of the governor, Nonye Soludo especially for her kindness and motherly care towards the vulnerable.
According to the team, part of the reasons for their visit was to give moral support to the ex-champion and encourage her not to relent on the journey of recovery and rehabilitation.
In her response, Hon. Obinabo, who received the team on behalf of the first lady of Anambra State, thanked them for their support and reminded them that it was the wife of the governor who took it upon herself to see that Okpala recovered.
The Women Affairs boss Obinabo explained that the time has gone when champions were neglected and stated that the Chukwuma Soludo-led APGA government is out to give succor to victims of substance abuse at all levels in the state.
“What the state government through the wife of the governor did for Tania, is just the tip of the iceberg of what she has been doing for many women of her kind across parts of the state.
“This is a government that believes in inclusivity and the mantra is that no one should be left behind. That is why we have taken it upon ourselves to commit to the welfare of persons who appear to have abandoned because the state belongs to all of us.
“We are focussed on ensuring that Tania fully recovers back to a position she can conveniently contribute to the growth and development of Anambra State,” she assured.
Commending the visiting team for their concern for the ex-tennis champion, Obinabo said it shows that they recognize what the state government has done for the ailing athlete.
The commissioner later took the team to the hospital, where they interacted with the ex-champion Okpala.
The former US-based tennis champion, who was overjoyed at the visit, expressed gratitude towards the love shown to her by the wife of the governor and assured her that she would not do anything to jeopardize her recovery.
She was during the visit, presented with cash and other gift items, and even assured of better days ahead upon her full recovery.
