Tania Okpala, the former Tennis Star who is undergoing rehabilitation from drug- related challenges, has returned to tennis courts.

Okpala, who had joined City Sports Club on the sponsorship of Nonye Soludo, engaged in routine training as part of her rehabilitation process.

Nonye Soludo, wife of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra, who described herself as Okpala’s number one fan, expressed satisfaction at her level of recovery after seeing her play again.

According to Nonye Soludo, the training is part of her process of recovery. It keeps her busy, focused and mentally balanced.

“I am impressed with her training and work rate, her footwork, flexibility and understanding of the game.

“I am committed to Tania’s full recovery, as she recovers, we will engage her positively to ensure she goes back to tertiary institution for further studies,” she said.

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Soludo took over the rehabilitation and welfare of Okpala after she was seen in viral video roaming the streets of Awka with visible signs of psycho-social challenges.

Okpala is a former national junior tennis champion.

The Tania story

In a video clip uploaded on Facebook, Tania Okpala was seen narrating her predicament to the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo.

Okpala said life was rosy for her before now when her mother, a structural engineer, was working for a construction company, the Reynolds Construction Company.

She recalled that, in 1999, she had gotten a scholarship to study at Howard University, United States of America, where she emerged champion in lawn tennis.

The former lawn tennis champion said her challenges started in 2017 when her mother died of breast cancer.

She said, two years later, things got worse as she lost her job in a hotel and subsequently became pregnant for her Liberian boyfriend.

“I then delivered the baby in my father’s home town because I told my father I would very much love to stay in Nkpologwu and rest,” she said.

Ms Okpala said after her delivery, she got a job in Nigeria, but the pay was lower than what she was paid in the US.

“Things were a little bit different for me, but I put myself to it,” she said

“Since she (my mother) died, I am like I am living a lifestyle which I have never lived before,” Ms Okpala said, apparently referring to her living in the streets.

The former lawn tennis star stressed that she had lost the basic amenities needed to live a normal life, but did not mention how she lost the amenities.

As she spoke, she started crying while Ms Obinabo consoled her.

Ms Okpala later explained her reason for roaming the streets of Awka.

‘My daughter languishing in the village’

Ms Okpala lamented that she has a six-year-old daughter who is “languishing” in the village because she could not give her a better life.

“I have been trying to get her away from village life (but couldn’t). Because I feel like they (my parents) brought me up very well.

“I had the best education, but my daughter is suffering in the village,” she said, as she started crying again.

It has been reported that Okpala’s aged father has beeny taking care of her daughter, who is in a primary school in the Nkpologwu Community.

‘People are insulting me’

Tania Okpala expressed surprise that many Nigerians often hurl insults at her while some tricycle riders and bus drivers would try to hit her on the road.

“I am like what’s going on,” she said.