Anambra governor Chukwuma Soludo has ordered the rehabilitation of Tanya Okpala, a lawn tennis player who represented Nigeria in events throughout the 1990s.
Okpala is half-caste; her mother is from Belarus and her father is from Anambra.
A video of the US-based ex-lawn tennis player asking for a soft drink in Awka, the state capital, went viral this weekend.
In the video, Okpala, who appeared distraught and unsteady, was shown lamenting her circumstances. She claimed she’d been abandoned and neglected.
Tanya Okpala and her sister Katya Okpala both represented Nigeria in tennis in the 1990s.
It breaks my heart to see a former Nigerian Tennis Champion in the street like this💔 pic.twitter.com/f5g5XnvHXH
— Chude Nnamdi (@chude__) January 28, 2024
The former tennis player said people often taunt her for being a half-caste and 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,” she said.
“… even if it’s just water, but I would prefer something like a Sprite. As I am now, I just ate four puff-puff.
“I was a former lawn tennis champion in Nigeria. I do not know if you are familiar with Tanya Okpala and Jacqueline Okwueze during those days. I played tennis for Nigeria and Africa.”
Soludo responded to the video via X, stating that the ex-tennis player is currently under custody of the state administration.
He stated that the government will support Okpala’s rehabilitation and “fruitful reunion with her daughter and family”.
“Tanya Okpala (Fmr Tennis champion) is now in the custody of the Anambra State Government. She was with the Commissioner of Women Affairs when my wife spoke with her on the phone. My government will ensure her rehabilitation and fruitful reunion with her daughter and family,” the post reads.
Tanya Okpala (Fmr Tennis champion) is now in the custody of the Anambra State Government. She was with the Commissioner of Women Affairs when my wife spoke with her on the phone. My government will ensure her rehabilitation and fruitful reunion with her daughter and family.
— Chukwuma Charles SOLUDO, CFR (@CCSoludo) January 28, 2024
