By Emmanuel Udodinma
Mindful of the inherent benefits that accrue from sporting activities, including economic advantages, Nigerians have been urged to embrace sports as viable business and corporate ventures.
They have also been advised to engage in sports as a professional and business venture that is capable of uplifting their fortunes and that of their immediate families.
Chief (Sir) Tony Ihuoma, the new President of Adejumo Tennis and Sports Development Club (ATSDC), Ejigbo, Lagos State gave the advice recently during the inauguration of the leadership of the club at the complex after he was elected as the new President of the renowned sports club.
He noted that the benefits of sports cannot be over-emphasised as many world’s figures had derived their greatness through sports. He also said that some sportsmen and women have become heads of business conglomerates.
He said part of his administration’s focal points will include
Completion of the complex’s bar without financial recourse to the club, renovate Tennis Courts and Snooker Board, among others.
Apart from these, Chief Ihuoma said his five-point agenda for the club which include enhancement of sporting activities in the club such as Youth Sports Development, and annual Youth Sports Clinic, Improvement in the welfare of members, administrative reformation and income generation. He added that the revenue the base of the club would be broadened in order to give the club great financial mileage in meeting most of its obligations to its members and society.
Ihuoma, a Justice of Peace (JP) promised to create a harmonious relationship with his executive members in order to take the club to greater heights.
He said: “I promise not to take this position lightly, and I fully understand the responsibilities that you all have bestowed upon me. We all know that with great power comes great responsibility.
“You have placed me in a position of power that I respect. I will assume all of my responsibilities to the greatest of my abilities, and I hope that you will help me along the way.”
He thanked the outgoing President, Alhaji Adegboyega Sanni and other past leaders for their foresight, patriotism and steadfastness all these years of selfless service to humanity, not allowing the club to drift.
Commending Alhaji Bashir Adejumo, a member of the Board of Trustee (BoT), he stated that his sacrifices haven’t gone unnoticed, especially holding on to the dream of the founder (popularly called ‘International Mr Tennis) which was to catch them young, expressing that it’s the courage to raise a child that makes one a father, and in the face of the reality that one day his children will follow his examples not his advice
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President Alhaji Adegboyega Sanni thanked God who has given him the grace to render his second and last address as the president of the club.
He recalled the debilitating setback COVID-19 engendered. He thanked God that in spite of all, he has worked hard with his team to make progress, entrenched peace and tranquillity.
The General Secretary, Nonso Ezema expressed gratitude to God who made it possible for them to be called to this great service.
One of the female members of the club, Ngozi Emengaha urged women to avail themselves of the opportunity sports could offer to keep themselves in shape and in sound mental being.
Ngozi expressed optimism that there will be tremendous progress in the club in the next two years, even as she said: “With the calibre of the President at the helm of affairs of our club, the next two years will bring about a great turn around in the club. There will be many business openings here. Rebranding has already begun.
“Chief Ihuoma is a man of few words. We have started seeing the direction of his leadership.
