Ochei unveils youth-focused reforms to grow tennis in Nigeria

President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Victor Ochei, has outlined a youth-driven reform agenda aimed at expanding tennis participation and strengthening the sport’s development structure across the country. Speaking on Arise TV’s Global Sports programme, Ochei said the new board is prioritising grassroots engagement and long-term planning to reposition tennis in Nigeria. Central to the […]

President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Victor Ochei, has outlined a youth-driven reform agenda aimed at expanding tennis participation and strengthening the sport’s development structure across the country.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Global Sports programme, Ochei said the new board is prioritising grassroots engagement and long-term planning to reposition tennis in Nigeria.
Central to the reforms is the introduction of a nationwide player registration system. The initiative will assign a unique identification number to every registered tennis player, creating a unified database to improve organisation, tracking, and access to competitions.
“We want every registered tennis player to have a player’s number. This will help us build a comprehensive compendium and also make it easier for players to access tennis clubs and competitions nationwide,” he said.
Ochei explained that the system is designed to eliminate fragmentation within the sport while making it easier to identify, develop, and support emerging talents across different regions.
Beyond administrative reforms, he highlighted his longstanding involvement in sports development, particularly during his time in public office in Delta State. According to him, investments in youth programmes have remained central to his approach, including support for athletes in disciplines such as wheelchair basketball.
He noted that he has previously sponsored Nigerian athletes to compete internationally in countries including Algeria, South Africa, Germany, and Brazil, providing them with exposure and competitive experience on the global stage.
At the grassroots level, Ochei pointed to initiatives such as the Village Unity Cup, an annual tournament he established to promote peace, unity, and youth engagement through sports.
He also disclosed that he founded a stadium and sports development centre dedicated to identifying and nurturing young athletes, helping them transition into professional ranks.
Looking ahead, the NTF president revealed plans for a comprehensive 10-year Strategic Tennis Growth Plan covering 2026 to 2036. The framework will focus on structured talent development across multiple age brackets—4–8, 8–12, 12–16, and 16–18 years—with particular emphasis on integrating tennis into primary and secondary school systems nationwide.
“Our target is to catch them young, build their interest early, and create a sustainable pipeline of champions who will represent Nigeria with pride,” Ochei added.