NTF targets grassroots revolution with 10-year tennis development plan
The President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, has unveiled an ambitious roadmap aimed at revitalising tennis in Nigeria by expanding grassroots participation and nurturing young talent across the country.
Ochei disclosed this during the Arise TV Global Sports programme on Saturday, where he outlined the new board’s vision to reposition the sport through strategic reforms and sustainable development initiatives.
Central to the federation’s plan is the introduction of a nationwide registration platform for tennis players. The system will assign a unique identification number to every registered player, creating a comprehensive national database while simplifying access to clubs and 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,” Ochei said.
Reflecting on his track record in sports development, Ochei noted that his passion for youth empowerment dates back to his time as a lawmaker in Delta State. During that period, he sponsored several sporting initiatives, including support for wheelchair basketball athletes, and funded participation of Nigerian teams in international competitions across Algeria, South Africa, Germany and Brazil.
At the grassroots level, he highlighted his continued involvement through the annual Village Unity Cup, a competition designed to foster peace, unity and community development while engaging young people in sports.
Ochei also revealed that he established a stadium and sports development centre dedicated to discovering and training young athletes to professional standards.
Looking ahead, the NTF is set to roll out a 10-year Strategic Tennis Growth Plan spanning 2026 to 2036. The initiative will prioritise talent identification and development across key age groups—4–8, 8–12, 12–16 and 16–18 years—with a strong focus on primary and secondary schools 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,” he added.
The initiative signals a renewed push by the federation to reposition tennis as a widely accessible and competitive sport in Nigeria, with long-term benefits for both grassroots participation and elite performance.
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