Ikoyi Club win breast cancer awareness tennis event as clubs push early detection
- Ikoyi Club 1938 won the Breast Cancer Awareness Ladies Inter-Club Tennis Tournament, beating Lagos Country Club 6-1, 6-4 in the final.
- Heritage Tennis Club took third place after defeating Lagos Lawn Tennis Club 6-1, 6-1 at the weekend event.
- Organisers said the competition, backed by Fidelity Bank, Leadway, Union Bank and Zenith Bank, was used to promote early detection and treatment.
Ikoyi Club 1938 have won a ladies inter-club tennis tournament staged to draw attention to breast cancer, after beating Lagos Country Club in the final at the weekend.
The hosts won the decider 6-1, 6-4. Heritage Tennis Club finished third, beating Lagos Lawn Tennis Club 6-1, 6-1.
The event was played in a round-robin format. Ikoyi Club topped the standings with six points, Lagos Country Club followed with four, Heritage had two, and Lagos Lawn Tennis Club ended without a point.
Four clubs took part, and organisers said the aim went beyond the trophy: getting more women to think about breast health and to seek checks early, when treatment works best.
Why early detection matters
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among Nigerian women, and doctors repeatedly stress that finding it early saves lives. October is marked globally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Victor Onyenkpa, chairman of the Ikoyi Club 1938 tennis section, said the club chose the month to team up with three other clubs for the cause.
“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so we at Ikoyi Club decided to stage a tennis tournament with three other clubs to highlight the importance of breast cancer awareness, especially early detection,”
he said, according to Leadership.
Onyenkpa thanked the sponsors, naming Fidelity Bank, Leadway, Union Bank and Zenith Bank, and said the event would not have held without their backing.
Ikoyi Club Lady Captain Nora Azubuike said the players came with their competitive spirit and also with a mind to support the cause.
“We need our women to be healthy,”
she said, adding that most sponsors were keen on the cause because of its impact on women and on the growth of the nation.
For ordinary Nigerians, the message is a practical one: breast checks and screening are available at many public and private hospitals, and cost should not be a reason to delay a check. Women who notice a lump or other change are advised to see a doctor promptly.
What happens next
The organisers did not announce a date for the next edition. The clubs said they hope the awareness push continues beyond the tournament, with women encouraged to prioritise breast health.
