Yoruba Tennis Club is 90. And members of the club are celebrating it big. Founded on September 15, 1926, this indigenous club was set up 90 years ago in reaction to the whites who dominated the existing Tennis Clubs then and who were opposed to Nigerians joining.
Last week, the Exco of the club, hosted the media to enable them unveil the programme for the 90th Anniversary celebration. The event was well attended by all the key officers of the club. The Chairman of the club, Barrister Ayodele Martins led the Board of Trustee members, Elders to address the press. The event which was co-ordinated by the General Secretary, Engr. Chief Olawumi Gasper was anchored by ace broadcaster, Prince Bisi Olatilo who is also a member of the club. The event there was the unveiling of the anniversary logo by Dr. Bolaji Ajenifuja, a member.
There was also the unveiling of the anniversary Cap, Gele and Ipele by the Women’s Wing, Whist the Vice Chairman, Prof Adetokunbo Fabamwo thanked the media for honouring the club by attending, another member, who is the Social Secretary, Obafemi Odumole rounded up the session.
In his speech, the Chairman of the club, Ayodele Martins revealed a lot about Yoruba Tennis Club and how the plans to celebrate its 90th Anniversary.
“On behalf of the Vice Patrons,Trustees, Elders and Members of the Yoruba Tennis Club, I welcome you all to this Press briefing and interactive session with the Media to flag off activities to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the founding of our great Club, which is one of the oldest indigenous social clubs in Nigeria. The Yoruba Tennis Club was founded on the 15th of September 1926. It is a private membersclub whose aims and objectsare amongst others: .
a)To encourage all kinds of sports, particularly the game of Lawn Tennis among its members and the public. b) To inculcate the spirit of good sportsmanship among its members. c) To promote social activities among its members. d) To provide a common meeting ground for its members. e) To promote education, international relations and concord among different nations.
An Executive Committee under the leadership of the Chairman oversees the day-to-day administration of the Club. The Board of Trustees is the custodian of the traditions, usages, norms and customs of the Club. They are indeed a positive and stabilizing force
in the Club. Let me reiterate for the benefit of our friends from the media that although the name of the Club bears “Yoruba”, membership has always been extended to our non-Yoruba friends. We continue to have non-Yoruba members who use the Club regularly and havecontributed in no small measure to the growth of the Club.
We have been consistently applauded for ourcourage in renaming what we are and bearing our founding name and for sustaining our tradition of orderly and rancour-free succession through nine decades of existence. Gentlemen and Ladies of the media, you may be wondering why the need for this elaboration. It is to underscore the fact that ours is a unique Club governed more by traditions, customs, norms and usages than by a written constitution. That the Chairman is “infallible” or “can do no wrong” is not written in the constitution, but understood by all members from the first day they set foot on the Club’s premises.
The Club lays more emphasis on honesty, integrity and industry in our members as opinion leaders in our polity than on material wealth. As a Club, we maintain a non-partisan posture butindividual members are free to express themselves politically. Our elders regularly and consistently sit to discuss contemporary state and national issues of concern and proffer possible solutions, which are transmitted to state and national leaders.
As we celebrate the 90th Anniversary of our great Club, it is important to reflect and highlight some of the phases of the Club”s evolution which include:
1) The period of the Club’s establishment at Tokunboh Street, Lagos. 2) The period at the old premises at Golf Links Road now occupied by the National Museum. 3) The new clubhouse at the present site on 2, Yoruba Tennis Club Road, Onikan-Lagos. 4) The addition of a wing comprising the Dining Hall and the V. Ade Allen Hall to the clubhouse. 5) The provision of the Tennis Courts with flood lighting. 6) The erection of the Norman-Williams Pavilion. 7)The construction of the Greetings Hall and its recent extension to include the Club’s Administrative wing. 8)The impending installation of a panoramic lift and the construction of a sports pavilion with standard changing rooms.
It is worth mentioning that not only has our Club recorded giant developmental strides, since it was established in 1926, It has also through its annual lecture series promoted discourse on contemporary national issues, thereby engendering peace and harmonious relationships in the polity. All events, apart from the visit to Charity Homes scheduled for Wednesday 14th September 2016, will take place on the Club Premises at Yoruba Tennis Club Road, Onikan, Lagos.
As we celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Club, we are also preparing for the challenges of the 21 st Century. We are committed to keeping our customs, norms, traditions and usages, as these are what make the Yoruba Tennis Club unique. In the past nine decades, the various Chairmen, Trustees and Officers had been quite focused in their efforts to put the Club on a very firm pedestal.
On the occasion of the 90th Anniversary of our great club, my special appreciation goes to the Trustees of our Club for the special role they have continued to play in the life of the Club and the tremendous support they have given to the successive Executive Committees.
Address Of The Chairman, Yoruba Tennis Club At The 90th Anniversary Media Briefing Held On Thursday September I 2016 At Greetings Hall Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan Lago:
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