Victor Ochei, the president of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, has presented a reform agenda driven by youth with the goal of increasing tennis participation and fortifying the sport’s development framework throughout the nation.
In an interview with Arise TV’s Global Sports program, Ochei stated that the new board is giving long-term planning and grassroots involvement top priority in order to reposition tennis in Nigeria.
The implementation of a national player registration system is a key component of the reforms. Every registered tennis player will receive a unique identification number as part of the effort, which will create a single database to enhance competition access, tracking, and organization.
“Every tennis player who is registered should have a player’s number. In addition to making it simpler for players to access tennis clubs and competitions around the country, this will assist us in creating an extensive compilation,” he stated.
According to Ochei, the system’s goal is to end sport fragmentation while facilitating the identification, development, and support of up-and-coming talent in various geographical areas.
He emphasized his longtime commitment to sports development, especially during his tenure in Delta State public service, in addition to administrative changes. He claims that funding youth initiatives, such as helping athletes in sports like wheelchair basketball, has remained a key component of his strategy.
He mentioned that he had previously given Nigerian athletes exposure and competitive experience on a worldwide scale by sponsoring them to compete internationally in nations like Algeria, South Africa, Germany, and Brazil.
Ochei cited grassroots efforts like the Village Unity Cup, an annual competition he founded to encourage harmony, peace, and youth involvement via sports.
Additionally, he revealed that he established a stadium and sports development center with the goal of finding and developing talented players and assisting them in making the transition to the professional ranks.
A comprehensive 10-year Strategic Tennis Growth Plan encompassing 2026 to 2036 was unveiled by the NTF president. With an emphasis on incorporating tennis into primary and secondary school systems across the country, the framework will concentrate on systematic talent development across several age groups, including 4–8, 8–12, 12–16, and 16–18 years.
Ochei continued, “Our goal is to catch them young, pique their interest early, and create a sustainable pipeline of champions who will represent Nigeria with pride.”
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