The 16^th edition of Fada Pita Charity tennis championship started at Peoples’ Lawn Tennis Court Onitsha on Saturday March 3, 2018. The occasion was graced by tennis players and their lovers from the ten participating clubs in Anambra state. The welcome address was done by Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Obele, the Chaplain.  The President of People Lawn Tennis club, Chief Cyril Ubajiaka welcomed all. The inaugural tournament was played between Ichi Honda Sports Club and Rojenny Tennis Club. There was a heavy entertainment provided by the host clubs. The tournament spanned from March to the end of June.

The closing ceremony of the 16^th edition was held at Rojenny sports club Oba in Idemili L.G.A., Anambra State. The closing ceremony took place on Saturday 30^th day of June. The 2018 closing ceremony featured free medical checks – general checks and eye checks which started at about 10.00am at the same venue. The beneficiaries of the free checks were the Oba community and some other guests. The turnout was so much that we plan to increase medication and eye glasses to accommodate more needy people in subsequent editions. Dr. Sunday Obiokonkwo who generously sponsored the eye checks was glad with the result. The association remains so grateful to him and looks forward to working with him and other charity lovers. There were other side attractions going on at the venue. While some people were consulting the doctors, some others were catching fun.  Conspicuously were the kids from Fada Pita Tennis Academy and other tennis players from member clubs who were displaying their skills in the tennis court.

The official closing ceremony started at about 3.00pm. The occasion hosted many dignitaries, including many Revs, – Fathers and Sisters. Msgr Anichebe Ezeobata Patrick, the vicar General of Nnewi diocese was present in double capacities. He represented the bishop of Nnewi diocese, Most Rev. Hilary Odili Okeke, the Grand Patron, and also was there in his own capacity as the organizational promoter. Msgr Hypolite Adigwe, the former National Director of Pontifical Mission Society (P.M.S,) was also present.

The occasion also witnessed the following:

*Collection of gifts from member clubs, and individuals, for the invited destitute homes. This was followed by the distribution of gifts. These were the groups that received gifts:

RECDOT (Rehabilitation Centre for the disabled, old and tramp) Ozubulu

Nnewi Leprosy Home

Okija Leprosy Home

Sisters of Mother Theresa Onitsha

St. Faith Orphanage Awka

These homes were provided with some of their basic needs, ranging from wheel chairs, clutches, Clothes, food, cash and so on.  They were delighted to have received some assistance from us, while we remain grateful to God for the opportunity to serve humanity.

The occasion continued with other merriment. There were enough food and drinks, thanks to the President of Rojenny Sports club, Chief Benjamin Nwabunike and his members. Some people were recognized for their various contributions in the society. The champions for this year’s tennis tournament were the members of Peoples Lawn Tennis Club Onitsha, while the best supporter clubs were the members of Elite Sports club Onitsha.  It was a day of joy to the organization and to the other guests. We look forward to the 17^th edition come 2019. The torch light was presented to the members of Beverly Hills Recreation club Nnewi who will host the opening ceremony of the 17^th edition come 2019.

We had the first stakeholders meeting in our effort to bring together all the awardees, the board of directors and the executive officers together at Beverly Hills Nnewi. This will enable the organization to interact with the initiator who is expected to intimate them on the activities of their sister organizations in U.S.A. This sharing will in addition help the initiator to gain more insight on the happenings at home (Nigeria) so as to relate to the organizations in U.S.A. Hopefully, there will be an opportunity to share visit in no distant future. This stakeholders meeting is fixed to be at least once a year after the closing ceremony. However, an avenue (WhatsApp) for daily interaction was opened for prompt communication.