Abuja: President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Victor Ochei, has highlighted inadequate infrastructure and funding as the primary challenges hindering the development of grassroots tennis in Nigeria. Ochei addressed these concerns while speaking to newsmen at the 2026 NASCO/ITF J30 World Tennis Tour Junior Championship in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ochei pointed out that the lack of tennis facilities in numerous states and local government areas poses a significant obstacle to discovering and nurturing young talents in the country. He emphasized the need for state governments and local councils to invest in tennis infrastructure, stating, “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.”
Ochei also acknowledged the financial challenges faced by many families and revealed that the federation is actively seeking sponsorship opportunities to alleviate 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 explained.
Despite these challenges, Ochei noted that the federation has a busy schedule of activities planned for the remainder of 2026. On the international front, Nigeria is set to participate in prestigious tournaments such as the Lagos Open M25, the Davis Cup World Group II qualifiers in Morocco, and the Billie Jean King Cup in Botswana. Domestically, competitions including the Dala Hard Court Open, CBN Open, and VEMP Open are slated to take place, with programs for para-tennis athletes also receiving attention.
Ochei emphasized that the federation’s calendar is designed to cater to all categories of players, from juniors and seniors to intermediate players and para-tennis athletes, in an effort to deepen tennis development across the country. He reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to building a sustainable tennis structure that will produce future champions and elevate Nigeria’s status in international tennis.