Catholic Priest Collapsed, dies playing lawn tennis in Awka
A Catholic cleric, the Reverend Father Anthony Nnaemeka Udogu, Parish Priest of St. Francis Parish in Awka and Dean of Awka Il Deanery, died on Monday, May 19, 2025, after collapsing during a lawn tennis game.
The 60-year-old Priest, who was ordained in 1995, was taken to a nearby hospital but could not be revived.
He is the second eminent Nigerian in as many weeks to due playing tennis.
This followed the death, last week, of former Military brass and Military Administrator of Bayelsa State, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade.
Navy Captain Olubolade died in Lagos, while the Catholic cleric passed on in circumstances that had yet to be fully illuminated, except fur the terse fact that he died playing tennis.
The Catholic Diocese of Awka confirmed the Priest’s death in a statement released today, and expressed condolences to his family, parishioners, and the wider community.
The statement said that Father Udogu suddenly collapsed while playing tennis and subsequent passing despite medical intervention.
