The President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Victor Ochei, has announced a series of initiatives aimed at increasing youth engagement and widening participation in tennis across the country.
Speaking on Wednesday, Ochei explained that the new leadership of the federation would focus on grassroots development and the introduction of structured programmes designed to strengthen the growth of the sport nationwide.
He said the federation is working on reforms that will modernise tennis administration and ensure long-term sustainability through innovation and better organisation.
A key component of the plan is the introduction of a central player registration system, which will assign each athlete a unique identification number to improve data tracking, ranking systems, and access to competitions.
According to him, the digital platform will help connect players to opportunities across different levels of the sport in Nigeria.
Ochei also reaffirmed his commitment to youth and sports development, noting his long-standing investment in sports initiatives during his time as a lawmaker in Delta State.
He recalled supporting athletes and teams to participate in international tournaments in countries such as Algeria, South Africa, Germany, and Brazil, aimed at exposing them to global competition.
He emphasised that such exposure is essential for helping Nigerian athletes realise their full potential.
At the grassroots level, he highlighted the impact of his annual Village Unity Cup, which he said has helped promote unity, peace, and youth involvement in sports.
He also noted the establishment of a sports development centre and stadium dedicated to nurturing young talent through structured training.
Looking ahead, Ochei revealed that the federation is developing a 10-year strategic plan for tennis development covering 2026 to 2036.
The plan, he said, will focus on early talent identification and systematic development of players from childhood to competitive levels.
He added that the initiative will target children between the ages of four and 18, with strong emphasis on school-based tennis programmes.
Ochei said the goal is to take tennis into schools, communities, and homes nationwide to ensure that no potential talent is overlooked.