The historic city of Ibadan, Oyo State, is gearing up to host an event of both sporting excellence and cultural significance—the maiden edition of the Olateru Olagbegi Lawn Tennis Championship. Scheduled for April 26, 2025, at the prestigious Ibadan Recreation Club, the championship is dedicated to honouring the life and legacy of Oba Sir Olateru Olagbegi II, KBE, a First Republic monarch and former Minister from Owo, Ondo State.
The tournament will bring together an illustrious audience including Southwest governors, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye III, top sports personalities, and distinguished guests from across the nation. It is being designed not only to commemorate the monarch’s remarkable love for sports but also to spotlight the athletic talent emerging from the region.
Oba Olagbegi, fondly remembered for his sportsmanship, particularly during his years in exile in Ibadan after being deposed during Nigeria’s early military era in 1968, was a passionate tennis and billiards player. It was during this period that he continued to engage in sports, using it as a means of maintaining his morale and expanding his network. One of the highlights of his athletic journey was winning the National Veterans Doubles Tennis Championship in 1969 alongside his partner, the late M. C. Nwanbuno, a moment the monarch described as one of the happiest of his life.
His son, Prince Adegoke Olateru-Olagbegi, who is spearheading the initiative, expressed his heartfelt desire to immortalize his father through the tournament. “I have always dreamed of something that would etch my father’s legacy into the annals of history, and that dream is coming alive through the Sir Olateru Olagbegi KBE Tennis Championships,” he said in an official statement.
This debut edition will feature 20 participating clubs, competing in Men’s Singles and Doubles categories, with prize winnings ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦200,000. Beyond the competition, the event is intended to become an annual celebration—an enduring tribute to a king whose love for lawn tennis was unmatched and whose story continues to inspire.
With excitement building and preparations in full swing, the Olateru Olagbegi Lawn Tennis Championship promises to be more than just a sporting event, it will be a vibrant fusion of history, legacy, and the timeless spirit of the game.