By Isoni Isoni, Calabar
Unarguably, the Calabar Sports Club established since 1898 is the oldest sports club in the country. 1898 is a brand as well as a household name that a lot of people cherish.
And to buttress this fact, the reigning president of the Calabar Sports Club, Eja-Dons Esege while conducting sports journalists around the club revealed that the club which was first situated along the Leopard Town Road was Known as European Club and had among other facilities a nine-hole Golf Course then.
He added that as the city was expanding, the Club was relocated by the government to the present site along the Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar.
According to him, trophies won dates back in 1900, 1901, 1902, etc are still in the Club’s archive and are evidence to prove how old the club is.
Eja-Dons used that forum to shower encomiums and praises on the past presidents of the Club for their vision, wisdom and tenacity to provide all the facilities that the members and visitors alike are enjoying today.
He also used that opportunity to appeal to the Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu to Come to the aid of the club in it’s desire to be among the best in the country.
He said the appeal become necessary because being one of the tourist attractions in the state, Calabar Sports Club need to be up to date interms of standard facilities as it plays complementary role during Carnival Calabar.
According to him, a good number of visitors coming to town at the eve of the Carnival Calabar used to visit the club including members of Ikoyi Club, Lagos who were here also played tennis to acclimatise before joining the Carnival train, adding that being a good host, they used to light up the area and played music all night long to make them comfortable during and after their tennis play.
He further said that they also want the Governor to provide the club with a monthly Subvention, upgrade of facilities and a club bus like other states club’s.
Eja-Dons Esege who came on board as the club president in 2022 used that occasion to commend Senator Bassey Otu for his vision to change the fortune of the state through infrastructural development and complete transformation of the state that was in a state of comatose before he took over the mantle of Leadership in 2023.