The historic Ibadan Tennis Club, founded in 1925, has officially commenced its centennial celebrations, marking a century of excellence in sports, social engagement, and community development. The year-long festivities began with the unveiling of the club’s centennial logo and insignia, symbolizing a new chapter in its rich legacy.
Dr. Oladipupo Sule, President of the Ibadan Tennis Club, described the milestone as a significant moment in the club’s history. He emphasized the importance of honoring past members while paving the way for future generations, noting that the centenary represents “the threshold of another century of history.”
As part of the celebrations, the club has planned several key events, including the Centennial Endowment Luncheon on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The luncheon will serve as a fundraising initiative for major legacy projects such as renovating and modernizing the main hall, expanding the parking space, relocating the kitchen, upgrading bath and changing rooms, and constructing a new badminton hall. The event will also feature a keynote lecture on financial technology, delivered by Dr. Ademola Adeleke, Deputy Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
In addition to infrastructural developments, the club will host a series of sporting tournaments between May and August, featuring inter-club and interstate competitions. The Ministries of Youth and Sports and Information are expected to play crucial roles in supporting and promoting these events. Furthermore, the club will embark on charity initiatives in collaboration with organizations like the Lions Club and Rotary Club, reinforcing its commitment to social impact.
A key highlight of the centennial celebrations will be the Centennial Dinner in September 2025, where Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State will be formally invested as the club’s Grand Patron. This tradition follows the footsteps of past Oyo State leaders, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Major General Abdulkarim Adisa, Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, and Senator Abiola Ajimobi. The dinner will also feature a health and wellness discussion and an awards ceremony to recognize individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the club’s development.
Renowned for producing state and national champions in tennis and billiards, the Ibadan Tennis Club remains dedicated to fostering a dynamic environment for recreation, sports, and social engagement. With the centennial theme, “A Century of Sporting and Recreation Excellence: More Promises to Keep,” the club aims to build on its storied legacy and strengthen its role in advancing sports development in Nigeria.
Dr. Sule has called on government agencies, corporate organizations, and philanthropists to support the centennial projects, stressing that such contributions will help sustain the club’s legacy for another 100 years.
