28/10/2026
AGHA MBA HAILS ANAMBRA LAWN TENNIS GOVERNOR'S CUP, CALLS FOR GREATER PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN SPORTS
The Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba, has commended Anambra Country Club and the sponsors of the maiden Anambra Lawn Tennis Tournament, popularly known as the Governor’s Cup, describing the initiative as a significant step towards talent discovery, youth development, and sustainable sports growth in the state.
Speaking at the tournament, the Commissioner praised the organisers and their partners for investing in sports, noting that the competition goes beyond recreation to create opportunities for emerging athletes, promote healthy living, and contribute to the development of Anambra’s sports economy.
Agha Mba reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, to grassroots sports development, talent identification, and sporting excellence. He highlighted ongoing efforts to improve sports infrastructure, support grassroots competitions, and create opportunities for young athletes to thrive, citing Anambra’s Taekwondo team’s impressive record of emerging at the top in national competitions for three consecutive years.
The Commissioner emphasised the importance of the Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) model in building a sustainable sports ecosystem, stressing that government alone cannot provide all the resources required to advance the sector.
He called on corporate organisations, private investors, entrepreneurs, sports associations, and well-meaning individuals to support sporting competitions, invest in facilities, and promote talent development, noting that effective collaboration among government, the private sector, and communities would generate employment, attract investment, and strengthen the state’s sporting culture.
Addressing the participating players, Agha Mba urged them to uphold discipline, sportsmanship, and excellence while making the most of the tournament to improve their skills and advance their careers. He also encouraged the organisers to sustain the initiative as an annual event capable of attracting wider participation, greater investment, and national recognition for Anambra State.
The Commissioner congratulated Anambra Country Club, the sponsors, and all partners for the initiative, expressing optimism that the Governor’s Cup would grow into a lasting platform for sporting excellence and collaborative sports development in the state.