The Vice President of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Babatunde Sobamowo, has described the club as Nigeria’s leading custodian of culture, civic responsibility and intellectual leadership, as it prepares to mark its centenary anniversary with a year-long programme of events.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Sunday, Sobamowo said the club’s uniqueness over the past 100 years lies not only in its longevity but in the values, traditions and leadership culture it has sustained since its founding.
“In the last 100 years, there’s been a lot of activities in terms of developmental activities,” Sobamowo said.
“If you go to Yoruba Tennis Club now, we have the Greetings Hall, which was built in the 1990s, and we have an Olympic-sized lawn tennis court that is a pride of Nigeria, where you can play any world-class tennis.”
Beyond physical infrastructure, Sobamowo stressed that the club’s true distinction lies in its cultural identity.
“More importantly, what I would say about Yoruba Tennis Club, about its uniqueness in Nigeria, aside from being the oldest indigenous sports and social club in Nigeria, is that it has certain characteristics that other clubs don’t have,” he said.
“We are custodians of culture. That is one thing that puts us ahead of every other club in Nigeria.”
Reflecting on his personal journey within the club, Sobamowo noted that long-standing members are deeply shaped by its ethos.
“When we joined, myself and the Chairman were in our forties, and we’ve been there for close to 30 years now. You learn a lot of things,” he said.
He highlighted the club’s initiation rites as a key expression of its founding values.
“The founders of this club exuded a lot of love and brotherhood, and that is translated in the kind of initiation ceremonies that we have. It’s pure love, and that translates into the way and manner we deal with each other in the club,” he said.
Sobamowo also explained the significance of the club’s traditional rites surrounding deceased members.
“Another thing that comes to mind is the castle ceremony. When a member is long gone, we ensure that the person is culturally removed from the club, so to say. That also makes us very unique,” he said.
He added that other traditional practices such as abalábí reinforce the club’s identity as a culturally rooted but modern institution.
“Like I said, it’s a cosmopolitan club, but we embody culture. We take care of so many things. We are opinion leaders,” Sobamowo said.
According to him, the calibre of individuals who have passed through the club underscores its national relevance.
“If you go through the history of Yoruba Tennis Club, the assemblage of people that have passed through the club is unimaginable,” he said.
“Chief Justices of the Federation, notable professionals from every field you can think of.”
He pointed to the club’s electoral process as a model Nigeria could emulate.
“The unique thing about Yoruba Tennis Club is the way and manner we do our elections. I wish Nigeria can take a cue from that,” Sobamowo said.
“The trustees are the custodians of our culture, and they ensure that the right people are chosen to lead the affairs of the club.”
He said the club’s leadership structure has ensured stability and harmony over the decades.
“From history, he is the 40th chairman of the club. That tells you how painstaking the process is, and how we make sure there is no rancour or ill feelings,” he said.
Sobamowo emphasised that respect remains central to the club’s survival.
“Respect is very key — respect for the elderly, and it is reciprocal. We also extend it to the younger ones,” he said.
“It’s a club that is after our hearts, and it’s worth celebrating 100 years.”
Addressing questions about whether the club restricts membership to Yoruba people, Sobamowo dismissed the notion.
“No, no,” he said.
“Historically, we have had a lot of members from the North. When I was secretary of the club, the former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Isa Yuguda, was initiated.”
He added that cultural practices do not exclude non-Yoruba members.
“Initiation or induction is a matter of language and representation. It’s pure. Nothing untoward at all. We are gentlemen,” he said.
Responding to criticisms that the club is overly political, Sobamowo clarified its stance.
“Like I said earlier, we are opinion leaders,” he said.
“We are political, but we do not engage in politics at all. We will invite people to come and speak on contemporary issues, but we are not aligned to any political party.”
He explained that the club’s engagement with public office holders is constitutional and non-partisan.
“By constitution, every governor of Lagos State is a vice patron of the club,” he said.
“That does not mean alignment. We support what is good.”
Sobamowo said the club’s century-long survival without internal conflict is proof of its maturity.
“To have been around for 100 years without any rancour of any sort, I think you should give us kudos,” he said.
“We’ve done very well.”
The Yoruba Tennis Club will formally flag off its centenary celebrations with a special intellectual seminar featuring Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka on February 5, ahead of its main anniversary on September 15.
Boluwatife Enome
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