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Kyikyiss takes a bow from tennis
One of the men known to have transformed tennis in the Ashanti Region, Samuel Ampadu-Kyei, takes a bow as president of the Kumasi-based 4 Garrison Tennis Club after serving two terms of four years.
He is credited to have rejuvenated the sport which had taken a nosedive in the region in the early 2000 and increased membership of the club, in particular, from 35 to 100 between 2013 and February this year.
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A system analyst and business development expert, Kikyiss, as he is fondly called, increased corporate sponsorship to the club to the extent that each of the many competitions introduced under his watch was massively sponsored.
Perhaps, it is such qualities that promoted Mr Ampadu-Kyei to become both the regional and national vice chairman of the Ghana Tennis Association.
A renowned tennis player himself, Kyikyiss introduced friendship games between the 4 Garrison Club and sister clubs from Obuasi, Sunyani, Sakumono and recently Cape Coast.
During his four-year tenure in office, the 4 Garrison Club lost only one out of 35 competitions and drew one and also gave hope to the youth who were given lots of space to develop their talents.
He instituted and superintended a scholarship fund to enable the youth to acquire formal education and to rise to any level on the educational ladder according to their individual abilities and skills.
The idea was to help blend formal education with their tennis talents and to harness them to the benefit of Ghana.
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Indeed, the youth were not left out in the many sponsored competitions culminating in the hosting of the first-ever national ranking competition on the court of 4 Garrison Club.
Through his influence, the 4 Garrison Club courts were renovated to international standard and the facility fenced to provide security. Currently, there is the construction of a modern club house with bar which is scheduled to be completed by June this year.
Initially built for the military until it was later opened up to the civilian population, the renovation of the club house is being undertaken by experts from the military with funding mainly from UniBank.
At an emotional send-off last Friday at the club, Kyikyiss was lauded for his achievements during his tenure after which he handed the baton over to the club captain, Mr Seidu Salifu Abebe, his right hand man.
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Among those present last Friday to honour the outgoing president was the General Officer Commanding the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brig Gen. C.B. Alhassan; the Command Operating Officer, Lt Col. D. Mogare and the Commanding Officer for 4BN, Lt Col E. Arhin.