With exactly 100 days to go until the opening ceremony of the 2026 West African University Games (WAUG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has recorded another major milestone in its preparations. A fully refurbished tennis court once a symbol of neglect was unveiled on Tuesday, now standing as one of the institution’s newest emblems of renewal and readiness.

The facility is more than a sporting arena. It is a story of vision, philanthropy, and the enduring Great Ife spirit a story that began thousands of miles away in the United Kingdom and culminated at one of Africa’s most prestigious universities.

For years, the tennis courts had fallen into decay, cracked surfaces, faded markings, and deteriorating surroundings. Today, however, the venue has been transformed into a modern sporting complex, arriving at a critical moment as OAU enters the final stretch of preparations to host athletes, officials, and spectators from across West Africa.

Remarkably, the project was not driven by government or corporate sponsorship. It was sparked by the determination of Ms. Garlina Gardiner, a doctoral student from the United Kingdom who visited Ile-Ife for academic research and left behind a legacy that will outlive her stay.

Deeply moved by the university community and concerned about the facility’s poor state, Gardiner sold her personal artworks to raise an initial £7,000. Additional support later pushed the fundraising effort beyond £11,000, providing the catalyst for a renovation project valued at over ₦15 million. Within three months, the neglected facility was reborn as a vibrant sporting complex.

Unveiling the court, Vice-Chancellor Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire described the development as proof that meaningful transformation is possible when individuals choose to invest in institutions they believe in.

“We have had gaps here for years. It takes the grace of God and committed individuals to get things done. Some people made efforts in the past, but today we are celebrating a successful outcome,” he said, commending the former Sports Council Chairman, the Director of Sports, and the technical team whose efforts brought the project to completion.

Beyond celebrating the achievement, the Vice-Chancellor used the occasion to issue a challenge to alumni and well-wishers.

“We should continue to leverage our networks to support the system. We need assistance to upgrade and maintain our sports facilities,” he said. “Beyond that, we must think about sustainability. How do we attract users? How do we generate revenue from these facilities? That is the future we must build.”

His message resonates strongly as OAU intensifies preparations for WAUG, one of the largest university sporting events on the continent. With the countdown now at 100 days, the university has accelerated efforts to upgrade facilities, improve infrastructure, and create an environment befitting an event expected to draw participants from across the West African sub-region.

The commissioning ceremony, anchored by Professor Cyril Olutayo, featured the rendition of the National Anthem and the Great Ife Anthem before guests were treated to an exhibition tennis match that showcased the court’s new lease of life.

A facility tour, coordinated by Professor S. O. A. Odukoya, subsequently took visitors through key sporting venues on campus, including the football field and swimming pool, offering a glimpse into the broader transformation taking place ahead of the Games.

Among dignitaries present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Akinfala; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Aderonmu; Chairman of the Sports Council, Professor Oyelade; Director of Sports ,Dr R. Ogunlusi and other principal officers of the university.

The event culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and exhibition matches organised by the Director of Sports, Dr. R. Ogunlusi, whose team has played a pivotal role in ensuring the facility is ready for action.

As the applause faded and the first balls bounced across the newly resurfaced court, the significance of the moment became clear. The unveiling was not merely about reopening a sports facility it was a declaration that OAU is determined to meet the promise of WAUG 2026 and showcase the best of its tradition of excellence.

With 100 days remaining until West Africa’s finest student-athletes converge on Ile-Ife, the university’s preparations are no longer just plans on paper they are becoming visible in concrete, steel, and renewed sporting arenas. And if the transformation of the tennis court is any indication, OAU is preparing not just to host the Games, but to leave a lasting legacy long after the final medal has been won