Fides Media Living the Faith
By Jude Atupulazi
The Fada Peter Charity Tennis Tournament may have come to an end but to the initiator, Rev Fr Peter Muojekwu, the whole idea has always been to bring people together to interact and also do charity for the less privileged members of society.
Fr Muojekwu, a Chicago based priest, philanthropist and sports enthusiast, stated this at the conclusion of the 19th edition of Fada Peter Charity Tennis Tournament at Beverly Hills Recreation Club, Beverly Hills Hotel, Nnewi, July 3.
Speaking to Fides at the event, Fr Muojekwu said, ‘I felt it would be necessary to bring tennis lovers together. The programme lasts between two and three months and people use the opportunity to interact, as well as to do charity to the poor, physically challenged and others.’
Fr Muojekwu who disclosed that there was also a tennis academy for kids which his organization was running, expressed happiness at the progress made in the course of the 19 years the programme had lasted but said efforts were on to explore more avenues of reaching out to more people to help.
He disclosed that as part of their medical outreach programme, seven medical doctors had been brought to attend to people.
‘It is important to point out that our membership (of the tennis club) is beyond participating in the annual tennis competition. Our mission is both to promote sports (tennis) and to do charity. Thus, not participating in a tournament does not prevent a club from being a member.
‘A club that does not have enough players or for any other reasons does not participate in a tournament, can still be active in our charitable mission. Tennis is what unites and brings us together to do charity,’ Fr Muojekwu stated.
He appealed to people to proffer ideas that would help sustain and strengthen the organization, adding that he wished to make the annual tennis championship the best ever.
He expressed appreciation to all those who contributed in making the year’s tournament, which started in April, a success.
The clubs that participated in this year’s tournament include, City Sports Club, Amawbia/Awka; Onitsha Sports Club; Rojenny Tennis Club; Onitsha Country Club; Beverly Hills Recreation Club; Onitsha Recreation Club; People’s Tennis Club, Fegge, Onitsha and Estate Sports Club, Fegge, Onitsha.