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Taraba Gov’s Maiden Open Tennis Championship Kicks Off in Wukari
By Henry Agbu
The maiden edition of the Dr. Agbu Kefas Southern Taraba Open Tennis Championship 2025 has officially commenced in Wukari, headquarters of Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Echo Express reports that the event marks a significant milestone in the development of tennis in Taraba State.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Adashu Tanko, highlighted the historical significance of the event, describing tennis as a sport with deep roots in Nigeria, dating back to the colonial era, and emphasized its global appeal as an Olympic discipline played across all levels of society.
“Tennis is a game that promotes the wellbeing, mental fitness, and social interaction,” Dr. Tanko noted.
“It is inclusive—playable by anyone who can hold a racket, including wheelchair users.”
He explained that the sport is governed globally by the International Tennis Federation and was first played between 1859 and 1865 in Birmingham, England, then known as lawn tennis.
Dr. Tanko also traced the origins of tennis in Wukari to the efforts of the late Bishop Dr. Ibrahim Sangari Usman, who built the first tennis court in Wukari in 1967.
The court was later commissioned by the Nigeria Tennis Association in 1968, with renowned players like Thompson Onipokun, Lawrence Owopegwa, Agori Edward, and Bulus Hussaini gracing the courts.
According to him, the court has undergone three major reconstructions, thanks to the contributions of Joel Adi Gani, and continues to produce outstanding tennis talents.
He commended the Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas for his unwavering support for sports development in the state, adding that the championship serves as a platform to showcase local talent and nurture future champions.
The event was attended by dignitaries including the Chairman of Wukari Local Government Council, Hon. Agbu Samaila Dauda; former Wukari Chairman, Adi Daniel; former Taraba State Commissioner of Information and Reorientation, Barr Danjuma Adamu; and other top government officials.
