Distressed former Nigeria tennis champion returns to court after receiving Anambra State government support

United States-based former Nigerian tennis champion, Tania Okpala, has returned to the tennis court after a two-month hiatus, following a distressing incident where she was found wandering the streets of Awka.

The Anambra State Government, led by Governor Charles Soludo, facilitated her rehabilitation and successful return to the sport.

While explaining her ordeal to the first lady, Okpala, who hails from Nkpologwu in the Aguata Local Government Area of the state, said she’s a US-based tennis champion but, due to bad peer influence, became a crack cocaine addict.

She also explained that she had the best education in and outside the country.

Tania, whose mother was from Belarus, said she lost her mother to cancer a few years ago and ever since has not been able to get over her demise.

According to the US-based tennis champion, she has a six-year-old daughter who is currently staying with her father in Nkpologwu and has urged the governor’s wife to help her reunite with her daughter.

Governor Soludo shared the news of her rehabilitation on X, expressing gratitude to his wife, Nonye, for her unwavering commitment to Tania’s rehabilitation and integration into society.

He reflected on the viral video that captured Tania’s distressing state on the streets of Awka, emphasizing the successful restoration of her well-being and return to her passion for tennis.

Soludo said, “Few months ago, social media was awash with a viral video showing Ms. Tania in a disturbing state on the streets of Awka. I am glad to report that we have successfully restored Tania to winning ways. Today she was at a lawn tennis court in town to do what she knows how to do best. I sincerely appreciate my darling wife, Nonye Soludo, for her total commitment to the course of rehabilitating and reintegrating Tania into society. May Anambra continue to win!”

The rehabilitation process began on January 28, 2024, after Tania was discovered wandering the streets of Akwa, the state capital, and captured in a viral video on social media by a concerned citizen.

Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ify Obinabo, highlighted Tania’s distressed and unstable condition in the video, prompting the swift intervention of the Charles Soludo-led administration to rescue, rehabilitate, and reunite her with her family.