Anambra State Govt rescue mentally unstable former American based Nigerian tennis champion from the streets
Former Nigerian professional tennis player, Tanya Okpala, has been found mentally unstable and wandering the streets of Awka, Anambra State.
Tanya, who represented Nigeria in tennis during the 1990s, is a half-cast with a mother from Belarus and a father of Igbo extraction.
In a video shared across social media, the former tennis champion appeared unstable and was seen begging for money and drinks.
During a conversation with an unidentified man in the video, the tennis star, seemingly nursing a wound on her left leg, stated that she is a former lawn tennis player who has been abandoned.
She mentioned that she has been labeled a prostitute by people in the areas and has been asked to return to her country but considers herself an Igbo lady.
She however, appealed for help saying that she is planning to return to her village the next day to care for her daughter.
She said in parts, “I was a former lawn tennis champion in Nigeria. I don’t know if you are familiar with Tanya Okpala and Jacqueline Okwueze during those days. I played tennis for Nigeria and Africa.”
When asked about using any recreational center for her health, she declined to answer, stating, “I think if somebody is very mentally sick, I don’t think it is my business how the person is taking care of himself or herself.”
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.
Though she was well-spoken in the video, she obviously needs some professional mental health therapy and hard drugs detox. She deflected a question the man in the video asked her to know if she’s on any recreational drugs.
