By Aderonke Ojo
President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Victor Ochei, says that inadequate infrastructure and funding are the major obstacles to grassroots tennis development in Nigeria.
Ochei stated this while addressing newsmen at the 2026 NASCO/ITF J30 World Tennis Tour Junior Championship in Abuja.
According to him, the shortage of tennis facilities in many states and local government areas remains a significant barrier to discovering and nurturing young talents.
“We need to encourage state governments and local councils to invest in tennis infrastructure.
“Where facilities exist, they will be utilised by young people. However, where they do not exist, it becomes difficult for children to access and enjoy the sport,” he said.
“I acknowledge the current economic realities facing many families and reveal that the federation is exploring sponsorship opportunities to ease the burden on parents.
“Many parents are willing to support their children, but the financial demands can be challenging.
“Our goal is to secure sponsorship that will help talented young players pursue their tennis careers without placing excessive pressure on their families,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ochei said that the federation has a busy schedule of activities lined up for the remainder of 2026.
On the international stage, Nigeria is expected to participate in the Lagos Open M25 tournament, the Davis Cup World Group II qualifiers in Morocco, and the Billie Jean King Cup in Botswana.
At the domestic level, competitions such as the Dala Hard Court Open, CBN Open and VEMP Open are scheduled to take place, while programmes for para-tennis athletes will also receive attention.
He emphasised that the federation’s calendar is designed to cater to all categories of players, including juniors, seniors, intermediate players and para-tennis athletes, to deepen tennis development across the country.
Ochei reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to building a sustainable tennis structure that will produce future champions and elevate Nigeria’s status in international tennis.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
