The Federal Government has stepped in to help Tanya Okpala, a former international tennis player whose viral video shows her wandering the streets of Akwa, Anambra State, triggering national sympathy.
The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, via his official ‘X’ handle late Monday night, made it known that the welfare of former athletes is a top priority in his ministry.
The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, touched by the plight of Okpala, vowed to rehabilitate her “and help her to have a fruitful reunion with her daughter and family.”
“Let me thank the Governor of Anambra State, H.E. Charles Soludo, and his team for the swift intervention in the case of Tanya Okpala. This is highly commendable,” Enoh wrote.
The minister, who described the viral video as ‘disturbing’, said: “I spoke with Tanya’s father, who briefed me on her current condition, and the genesis of her problem confirmed to me that the Nigerian Tennis Federation paid for Tanya’s first rehabilitation many years ago when her condition became public knowledge, but sadly, the former tennis star relapsed after a short while.
“Okpala Tanya was once a tennis player of repute who has played in a lot of tennis tournaments. She represented Nigeria and the African continent and won laurels for her name. She was a tennis junior’s champion who played at the highest level and was ranked number one at the time.
“As a ministry, our six-point agenda, WAIFAR, has the W for activating and enabling a WELFARE system that caters to serving and retired athletes. As a ministry, we will take action in this regard, as every athlete who has brought glory to our nation deserves appropriate welfare.”
PersecondNews recalls that in the video, Okpala, who appeared distressed and unstable, was seen lamenting about her situation.
She said she had been abandoned and neglected, adding that people often taunt her for being a half-caste and tell her to “go back to your country”.
“The whole world hears my story, and they laugh at me. I do not know why they laugh at me. They will say, ‘Go back to your country’. I am just tired. I am okay. Even though I am half-cast, I consider myself a black Igbo. I am going to the village tomorrow to look after my daughter until further notice.
“I was a former lawn tennis champion in Nigeria. I do not know if you were familiar with Tanya Okpala and Jacqueline Okwueze during those days. I played tennis for Nigeria and Africa,” Okpala said.
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