The best of the South West royalty were on hand, at the weekend, to witness a tennis championship organised in honour of Sir Olateru-Olagbegi, who they described as a promoter of sports development in Ondo State, South West and Nigeria as a whole.

The event christened “Sir Olateru-Olagbegi Tennis Championship,” was held at the Ibadan Recreation Club 1902, with Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, and the Trustee of Ibadan Recreation Club 1902, Mr. Obi Alakija, among dignitaries present.

The organisers of the event said that they decided to host the competition because during his years in Ibadan, Oba Olagbegi played tennis and billiards to keep his spirits up, as well as make friends and network.

They also recalled that Oba Olagbegi in 1969 partnered with the late Mr M. C. Nwanbuno to win the National Veterans Doubles Tennis Championship.

At the event, the day’s chairman, Governor Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Power, Johnson Alabi, described the immortalised monarch as a symbol of modernity blended with royalty, and an advocate of unity and empowerment.

In their various remarks, Oba Adekunle Adebowale, who represented the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, highlighted the strong bond between the late Ooni Adesoji Aderemi and Oba Olateru-Olagbegi.

The Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who was represented by the Ajia of Ibadanland, Oloye Abiola Iyiola, stressed the importance of sport, while commending the family of the late Owo monarch for instituting a tennis tournament to further cement unity and cultural diversity.

In his remarks, the President, Ibadan Recreation Club 1902, Mr Olaitan Bamidele Akinola, noted that the late Owo monarch’s contributions to the club are huge.

Also speaking, the Trustee, Ibadan Recreation Club 1902, Mr Ogie Alakija, assured of his commitment to the club and talent production. Earlier, the organiser and son of the late Owo monarch, Prince Adegoke Olateru-Olagbegi, said the competition, which would hold yearly, would serve as a token of immortalisation and talent-hunt in Ibadan and Nigeria as a whole.

Apart from the host club, other clubs that participated were Ibadan Tennis Club, Ibadan Grammar School, UI Staff Club, UI Students, Obafemi Awolowo Tennis Club, Adamasingba Stadium Tennis Club, Police Officers Mess Club, Tiger Club, Nicon Town, Lagos and Abuja City Tennis Club.