Elizabeth Ekong: Tribute To The Tennis Titan

In a society that has a sickening propensity for undermining its icons, heroes and heroines, the disdain with which former national tennis coach, Mrs. Elizabeth Ekong was treated during her funeral by the sports authorities shouldn’t be a surprise.
The story of Mrs. Ekong is another in the unending list of unsung heroes, men and women who sacrificed their all to the nation but were abandoned when it mattered most.
However, history which has always been a fair and dispassionate judge would reserve a place of honour for the undisputed Mother of Nigerian tennis.
Mrs. Ekong answered the final call on Friday April 12, 2019 at the age of 77 and for one who served her nation meritoriously,the least expected was a befitting burial.
Her family and friends did not disappoint as they turned out in their hundreds to bid her the final farewell on May 31, 2019 at the Ikoyi Cemetery.
Characteristic of the Nigerian state, it was conspicuously absent at the graveside of the woman who revolutionised women’s tennis in the country.
The Sports Ministry where she worked for over three decades did not have the presence of mind to send a representative to the funeral rites of the former national tennis coach.
Yet, Mrs. Ekong gave all of her productive years to the nation through tennis.Her exploits as a player and as a national coach are in the archives of the tennis federation.
No matter the levity with which she was treated, her contributions will earn her a golden page any time the history of the racket game is written.
Outside tennis, Mrs.Ekong carved a niche for herself in the realm of philanthropy where her deeds unlike her tennis exploits were never celebrated in the media.
She wanted it so for she was one who gave with the right hand and the left hand knew not.
She possessed a heart made of gold, a philanthropist par excellence, defender of the oppressed and the underprivileged, and an avid supporter of noble causes. If the Sports Ministry did not celebrate her, the men and women who had the fortune of encountering her will celebrate her everyday. And they are a multitude.
Some of such individuals told their stories to PM Express of how Mrs Ekong transformed their respective lives. And why she would be celebrated every day though she is dead.
Thompson Oladipo Ewetuga, Andrew Abana and Benson Imiavan had a taste of her kindness and strongly believe she was an angel.
Mr. Ewetuga is chairman of Vision 2020 Tennis Initiative and coach with international acclaim who made his mark in school and age-grade tennis. He said of the former national coach “Mrs. Ekong to me was a teacher, a coach, a mother, a confidant and a wonderful mentor. To put it succinctly, Mrs. Ekong made me from my tennis cradle to my present position as a top notch coach. She put my tennis career on the international plane which saw me plying my trade as a professional in The Gambia and the United Kingdom.
She was the one who introduced me to the Gambian Tennis Federation from where the International Tennis Federation,ITF discovered me for the school tennis initiative.
It will be difficult to chronicle all the great deeds of Mrs. Ekong in my life and Nigerian tennis in a tribute. Only a book can accommodate that. In fact, Mrs. Ekong was the pillar of Nigerian tennis. Since her exit as national coach, Nigerian tennis has been on a downward slide. And the painful reality is that it will take a very long time before Nigeria will have a dedicated, patriotic, selfless, visionary individual like my mentor, Mrs. Ekong.
For all she did for me and many others who are doing well all over the world, she will have a place in God’s kingdom.”
Andrew Abamu, Chief executive officer Abamu Business Enterprises shares his experience with the late national coach “Were it possible, I would have wished Mrs. Ekong(who I call Mama) to live forever but then death is inevitable. She will be in my heart forever because whatever I am today is of her making. One special trait of mama was her detribalised nature. She didn’t care where you came from, she was ever willing to help.
She raised me from a very difficult situation when I had no hope to being the successful man that I am today. I don’t know how else to describe Mama except to say that she was the one God used to turn my life around.
Mama fought a lot of battles for me before I was finally established and today I thank God for sending Mama into my life.
Mama was determined to make me succeed not only in my business but also as a family man and today I am successful in both areas. The death of Mama has left a big void in my life and that void would be difficult to fill. For her selfless service to humanity, Mama will dwell in eternity among the Saints in God’s heavenly abode.”
Benson Imiavan, retired Principal Superintendent (Facilities) Ministry of Youth and Sports and National Referee (Taekwondo): “Mrs Elizabeth Ekong was a rare breed who lived for others. She supported me during my wedding and was always on hand to offer assistance to me with her wise counselling.
Mrs. Ekong also was very dedicated to her job. In fact she took her job like a religion and that explains why her era as national coach remains the golden era for Nigerian tennis.
“In her active days as a staff of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, many members of staff benefited from her large heart. She also groomed many players to the point of taking their trade abroad. Nigerian tennis boomed during her time as national coach. And since she left, our tennis standard has dropped ”
“Without trying to be a pessimist, it will take several generations before the country will get another Mrs. Elizabeth Ekong. She gave her all to her people and her nation. She was a very selfless woman and she will be in the bosom of the Lord”
Mrs. Elizabeth Bassey Ekong was born on August 19, 1941 to late King Eyo VII of Adaha Uko Creek Town in Odukpani Local Government of Cross River State and late Madam Nancy Fynch of Sierra Leone. She had a brief stint with Unilever Group as a trainee marketer with Lever Brothers after her secondary school before she took her tennis prowess to the national stage. She attended several coaching coaches abroad before getting the job of a national coach. She was married to late Mr. E.J. Ekong a sensational sprinter in his active days and they had three children, Doreen, Vivian and Charles.