“Tania Okpala is back on the courts!” Governor Soludo posted on his X account.
“A few months ago, social media was flooded with a viral video showing Tania in a distressing state on the streets of Awka. I am pleased to report that we have successfully restored Tania to her 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!”
Recall that Tanya Okpala, a former Nigerian tennis champion found mentally unstable and wandering the streets of Awka, Anambra State capital.
Recall that on January 28, Governor Soludo said Anambra state Government will take full custody of Tania Okpala, a former Nigerian tennis champion found mentally unstable and wandering the streets of Awka, Anambra State capital.
In a video shared by @chude_ on X on Sunday, Tania Okpala, whose father from Anambra and her mother from Belarus represented Nigeria in championships in the 1990s was spotted begging on the streets of Awka in a widely shared video.
The multiracial athlete of Igbo extraction who appeared to be mentally sick at the time kept saying people always tell her to go back to your country.
“The whole world hears my story and they laugh at me. I do not know why they laugh at me. They will say ‘Go back to your country’. I am just tired. I am okay. Even though I am a half-cast I consider myself a black Igbo. I am going to the village tomorrow to look after my daughter until further notice,” Tania said in the viral video.
Okpala joined City Sports Club on the sponsorship of Nonye Soludo, She now engages in routine trainings as part of her rehabilitation process.
Mrs Soludo, wife of Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, who described herself as Ms Okpala’s number one fan, expressed satisfaction at her level of recovery after seeing her play again.
According to Mrs Soludo, the training is part of her process of recovery, saying it keeps her busy, focused and mentally balanced.
“I am impressed with her training and work rate, her footwork, flexibility and understanding of the game. I am committed to Tania’s full recovery, as she recovers, we will engage her positively to ensure she goes back to tertiary institution for further studies,” she said.
Mrs Soludo took over the rehabilitation and welfare of Ms Okpala after she was seen in viral video roaming the streets of Awka with visible signs of psycho-social challenges.
BusinessDay/NAN
