Speaking at the event, the benefactor of the “Cathedral Tennis Court”, Chief Dr. Sir G.U.O Okeke stated that the donation of the International Standard Tennis Court was borne out of the passion he has for Sports and Lawn Tennis which he has played over the years, Chief Okeke emphasized that he reckons that the Cathedral was lacking in Sporting facilities which would aid the youths to engage in sports and recreational activities in order to ensure they enhance their skills physically through sports as well as nip in the bud societal challenge occasioned by restiveness and delinquency.
Reacting to the development, Chairman Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ASSDC) and representative of the Executive Governor of the State, Chief Tony Oli described the donation of the Tennis Hard Court by Chief G.U.O Okeke and his family as a noble course towards engaging the youths and enhancing their competence via participation in sports and other recreational activities, Chief Oli stated that even as the Church continues in its mission of drawing souls to Christ it is also important that the young worshipers engage in sporting activities for their health and total well-being. He also emphasized that the ASSDC will partner with the All Saints’ Cathedral Onitsha to fully utilize the Tennis Hard Court for the purpose for which it was built.
Also Speaking, The Bishop of the Niger and the Anglican Bishop of Onitsha, His Lordship, The Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo, Ph.D., stated that one of the Cathedral’s desire is to ensure that the church continues to maintain the Centre for Ndi Anambra where positive things happen such as spiritual, social and sports attraction. He thanks Chief Okeke and his family for embarking on the project and urged others to emulate the kind gesture.
In his reaction, one of the benefactor’s son, Proprietor of Aspire FC and former Chairman Caretaker Committee of the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA), Dr Chukwemeka Okeke stated that he will carry on from where his father stopped with further projects to beef-up sports in the cathedral, Dr. Okeke said he will build a multi-million naira 11-aside AstroTurf to the to further enhance the church’s feasibility via sports, he also promised to continue in his quest to change the football landscape and sports sector in the state.
High points of the occasion was a special service for the dedication of the Cathedral Tennis Court, other dignitaries at the occasion were, the Sub-Dean, All Saints’ Cathedral Onitsha, Ven. Obiora Uzochukwu; Dr. Sir Daniel Chukwudozie, Sir Okay Agbasimelo, top government functionaries, friends of the Okeke family, and the entire Christendom.
