TRIBUTE TO THE LATE PROFESSOR EMERITUS EBENEZER LAING
BY THE LEGON TENNIS CLUB

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “ Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “ Yes,” says the Spirit, “ they will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them.” Revelation 14:13

The late Professor Emeritus Ebenezer Laing joined the Legon Tennis Club in the early 1990s. He had expressed the desire to join the Club some months earlier but it took some time for this to materialize. Then one playing day, he surprised us and came to the court in full tennis regalia – T-shirt, shorts, canvas shoes and a racket. His racket however provoked laughter on the whole court because it had a wooden frame which had long been replaced by fibre frames. The Club quickly got him another racket and he went through the rudiments of the game under the vigilant eyes of Mr. Enoch Amartey and Rev. Dr. Abraham Akrong, of blessed memory. We thought that because of his age it would take him a long time to join the playing body, but we were all proved wrong. He developed a devastating forehand which he terrorized everyone with, including the most experienced players. Prof., however, restricted himself mainly to doubles matches and did not participate in the more demanding singles. But because no one had played singles against him, he soon claimed that he was the only “unbeaten singles player” in the Club.

In our social gatherings Prof. proved to be a perfect mixer. When tempers were high over Club issues he would invoke his ‘LECIAD SKILLS” to cool down tempers. His normal phrase was “please make your point without shouting or intimidating your colleague”. Occasionally the younger members would respond “Prof. you are too gentle. What ought to be said in plain language must be said”.

Prof. Laing was a father, a mentor, and a friend who was loved by every member of the Club and who showed interest in the welfare and progress of all members. This interest was extended to our children who occasionally came to the court. He would take them aside and show them plants and flowers in their various stages of development. A week later, pictures from his camera, which was always around his neck, would be given to the parent to be delivered to the adolescent. Prof. Laing’s humility, pleasant disposition, generosity and genuine interest in people were exceptional qualities for which the Legon Tennis Club will remember him always.

Over the past few years, Prof. Laing’s ill health prevented him from playing with us. He would however come occasionally to the court to watch us play, have a chat and join in the post match festivities. The last time he joined us was on 1st July, 2014 when the January to June borns hosted the rest of the members to lunch.

Prof. Emeritus, rest from your earthly labour. Your good deeds will surely follow you. Fare thee well.