It was an atmosphere of conviviality as royalty mixed freely with sportsmanship in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, on Sunday, March19, 2017.
It was the inauguration of the Omu-Aran Tennis Club at the prestigious Mucenty Hotel in the ancient Igbomina city.
Amid thunderous drum beats, the royal train of four first class traditional rulers in the state, led by the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Oladele Ibitoye, Adogbajale bi Ileke II, were ushered into the arena.
The other royal fathers were the Alofa of IIoffa, Oba Adeniyi Dada; Olusin of Isanlu-Isin, Oba Solomon Oloyede; the Olosi of Osi (Kwara State), Oba Saliu Adasofegbe (all first class obas) and the Owalobo of Obo-Ile, Oba Olusegun Adebayo. The Oloroso of Oro-Ago was represented by the President of Oro-Ago Progressive Union, Mr. Richard Olusola.
They added colour to the occasion as they jettisoned their usual traditional attires and beads for trendy track suits, trainers and tennis racquets.
"Today's event is a dream come true," said an elated Alhaji Bisi Salami, the Chairman of Mucenty Hotels and initiator of the tennis club, in his address of welcome.
Salami said that the objectives of the club were to promote fitness among the elders, social interaction among the elites and the youths in Omu-Aran and its environs.
The Chairman said that while the hotel would provide the necessary facilities for the club, it will run independent of the hotel management as its membership would be by subscription.
Alhaji Salami said that members of the club would also have special discounted rates in the hotel's other sport facilities like the swimming pool and gymnasium.
Unveiling the Club Logo, the Olomu commended the initiatives of Alhaji Salami in the socio-economic transformation of Omu-Aran since the hotel debuted in 2011 and urged other well-to-do people in the town to emulate him.
Through sports, Oba Ibitoye said that lives of the youths could be positively impacted, noting that sports had long become formidable sources of wealth creation.
He urged the club not only to promote recreational activities but also tennis trainings and competitions among primary and secondary schools in the state.
In his own remarks, the Alofa said that through sporting activities, healthy living could be sustained.
Oba Dada, who was once Chairman, Kaduna State Lawn Tennis Association, said that whoever engages in active sports would spend less on medications.
With dexterous serves and volleys, the Alofa demonstrated tennis skills reminiscent of the Andre Agassis, John McEnroes and Boris Beckers of this world when he paired with the Olomu against the Olosi and Olusin in a demonstration match to declare the court open.
Also at the occasion, the Olosi formally inaugurated the hotel's swimming pool and lauded the leadership role of Omu-Aran in the socio-economic and political development of Kwara South senatorial district and the state as a whole.
Oba Adasofegbe said that it was not a mean achievement for the first minister (Moses Olarewaju) and the first military governor of the state (retired Brig.-Gen. David Bamigboye) to have come from the town.
Another highlight of the occasion was the election of the club's interim board which comprised Waliu Sanni as President, Dapo Asaolu as secretary and Lanre Babalola as Club captain.
Among other dignities at the event were retired Maj.-Gen. Yemi Abidoye, a former commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture in the state, Otunba Jide Adebayo, Dr. Tajudeen Adeyemo, Dr. Jimoh Ajisafe and the principal of Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran, Mr. Segun Abifarin.
