Rivers Sports Council Mourns Former Speaker

The Rivers State Sports Council is in morning over the recent death of former Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry, who was also the Chairman Rivers State Tennis Association and Deputy President, Nigeria tennis Federation.

The Board, Management, Chairman of Sports Associations and Staff of the Sports Council on Friday visited the family house of the late lawmaker in Port Harcourt to commiserate with his family members over their untimely loss.

Condoling with the widow and family, members of late Harry, leader of the delegation and Chairman of the Councils Board, Hon. Charles Paul noted that the death of Tonye Harry was a big blow not only to his family but to the Sports council and Sports world.

According to Hon. Paul, late Harry was key to the success story of Rivers State and the Sports Council, especially, in tennis. He single handedly ran the Tonye Harry Foundation and sponsors young tennis players to realize their potentials.

“He has been nice to us and sponsors tennis, which association he chaired and personally sponsored our athletes to represent the state at various levels”, he said.

The Chairman further said that his commitment to youth and Sports development was second to none and prayed that his legacies, especially, the Foundation be sustained.

He prayed for peace and God’s protection for his family.

“It is our prayer that God will continue to be with the family, gibe them and us the fortitude to bear the loss”.

He further urged the family to ensure peace in the home and see that the widow and children were not persecuted.

He promised to see that the council and the family liaise with the Foundation to immortalize late Harry with the annual tennis competition he used to organize.

Speaking on behalf of the family late Harry’s brother, Tamunotein E.W. Harry said that the late Lawmaker organiswed himself and family very well and assured that peace would continue to reign in the family.

Also speaking moments later, the Director of sports in the State, Sir Daobu Harry described the State Tennis Association Chairman as everything to the Sports Council. He recalled that in the past three National Sports festivals, the late Harry sponsored the tennis association single-handedly and nurtured players to win medals for the state.

“He has contributed a lot to the State’s overall achievement at the National Sports festival and beyond. We’re really lost a sportsman, philanthropist, sponsor and an administrator”, said the Director of Sports.

The Chairman of Handball association, Kwashi Thompson on behalf of Sports association Chairman described late Harry as a sports reform and a strong pillar who came through the ranks.

“He truly embedded in the promotion of sports, especially, tennis, without Tonye, there was no tennis in Rivers State, it is going to be a herculean task trying to fill the vacuum his death has created, you can understand what that means”, said Thompson.

He urged people, especially, those that are well-to-do to emulate his sports philanthropy and commitment.