Sports

Okpala Tanya : Honourable Minister of Sports Development wades in

Published

3 years ago

January 30, 2024

Sports Minister Senator John Owan Enoh has reached out to the father of Okpala Tanya,Nigeria’s former tennis sensation whose video went viral recently revealing the lamentable state of the one time tennis champion.

In statement signed by the S A Media to the Honourable Minister of Sports Development Diana-Mary Nsan in Abuja On Monday revealed that, the minister contacted Tanya’s father who briefed him on her current condition and the genesis of her problem . He also confirmed to the Sports minister 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 to her name.She was a tennis juniors champion who played at the highest level and was ranked number one at the time.

Senator Enoh lauded the Governor of Anambra state for swinging into immediate action to remove the former tennis star from the streets.
“ let me thank the Governor of Anambra state H E Charles Soludo and his team for the swift intervention in the case ofTanya Okpala.This is highly commendable “ he said.

“ 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”

Signed:

29-1-2024

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Sports

VIP Spikers unveil Veronica Gyamfi following successful surgery after career-threatening injury

Published

4 hours ago

October 25, 2026

The Gleamer

VIP Spikers have unveiled Veronica Gyamfi as their player, pledging to support her welfare and recovery after an injury sustained during last season’s CGC Volleyball Premier League.

The unveiling took place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, with Samuel Onikeku, Head of Sports, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), performing the ceremony.

Gyamfi sustained the injury while representing Wikki during last season’s CGC Volleyball Premier League.

In a swift response, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), and the President of Vipers sponsored her surgery at Dala Orthopedic Hospital in Kano, where she spent two weeks receiving medical attention.

Her signing by Vipers and Partners VC, popularly known as VIP Spikers, is expected to provide her with continued care and support as she progresses through recovery and works towards returning to competitive volleyball.

Meanwhile, Gyamfi was presented a brand new ASICS canvas and a branded jersey of VIP Spikers as it is believed she would return to play after completing her rehabilitation.

The intervention reflects the importance of athlete welfare in Nigerian sports, particularly the need to ensure that players who sustain injuries while representing their teams receive appropriate medical attention and rehabilitation support.

The sponsorship of Gyamfi’s surgery by the Comptroller-General, followed by her signing by VIP Spikers, highlights the potential impact of collaboration between sports authorities, competition sponsors and clubs in safeguarding athletes’ careers.

After the surgery Gyamfi has been undergoing physiotherapy sessions at the 44 Military Reference hospital in Kaduna as the Sporting Club is supporting her education at Kaduna State Polytechnic.

Gyamfi’s story offers an encouraging example of support for an athlete facing a difficult period in her career.

Her unveiling reinforces the message that volleyball development goes beyond competitions and trophies to include protecting players’ welfare and helping them return to the sport they love.

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