Emewulu Emerges Anambra Gov’s Tennis Tournament Champion, as Soludo Announces Additional N9.1m Prizes

Elochukwu Benjamin | Ichie Times 

Emeka Emewulu of Onitsha Club, Fegge has won the 2026 edition of Anambra Governor’s Tennis Tournament concluded in Awka, the state capital over the weekend.

The Tennis Tournament, sponsored by Audi Ltd, is hosted by Anambra Country Club, Awka, and featured a total of 16 teams.

Emewulu lifted the cup after defeating Peter Ibeazo of Anambra Sports Club of Awka in two straight sets of 6-1, 6-2.

Emewulu and Ibeazo defeated Ugochukwu Onyia of Elite Sports Club and Albert Anyaene of City Sports Club, respectively, in the semi-final games to reach the last two.

The first and second place winners got a reward of N1 million and N500,000 respectively, while the other 14 teams that participated in the tournament got N100,000 each.

Speaking after the 2 hrs 24 mins encounter, Emewulu said he was excited to win the tournament.

He described the game as one of the toughest he had played while acknowledging the strength of his opponent.

Also speaking, Ibeazo, a Catholic priest, said he was happy to have participated in the tournament and made it to the final.

He said sports is good for the physical and spiritual well-being of the human person and encouraged people of all ages to engage in sports at all times.

Congratulating the teams, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo said his administration would continue to provide a conducive environment for a thriving sports sector

Soludo appreciated the sponsors for making the tournament possible, adding that it was in line with the Public-Private Partnership mantra of his government.

He announced additional cash prizes of N2 million, N1.5 million and N400,000 to others respectively, amounting to N9.1 million.

Earlier, the President of Anambra Country Club, Awka, Mr Damian Enekwechi, described the championship as unprecedented in the state, particularly in terms of its scale and prize money, highlighting the health benefits of tennis, especially for older people.

He explained that the club offered facilities for sports and recreation, including tennis, table tennis and swimming, adding that it was committed to ensuring the championship became a regular event.

“We don’t just want this place to be a place for eating and drinking; it is also a hub for sports, recreation and healthy living.

“This is our first edition, and we are committed to sustaining it. Each edition will be better and bigger than the last,” he said.

Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Audi Ltd., Dr Clems Ifezue, said the company sponsored the championship to celebrate Anambra Country Club and attract wider national attention to its facilities.

Describing the club as magnificent, Ifezue said the tournament offered participating clubs an opportunity to compete for approximately ₦3 million in prize money.

Ifezue expressed optimism that subsequent editions would attract greater participation and investment, promising that the competition would grow in scale and quality in the coming years.