By Joel Ajayi
The presidential aspirant and board member representing sponsors and philanthropists on the board of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, has declared that his vision is to restore Nigerian tennis to its former glory, empower athletes, and transform lives through sports.
Ochei made this known while speaking as a guest on the popular AM Sports programme on NTA, Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, his passion for sports development is driven by years of involvement in empowering athletes, especially persons with disabilities, through initiatives such as wheelchair basketball.
He noted that sports can serve as a tool for transformation, inclusion, and national pride, stressing that his leadership would focus on rebuilding structures and creating opportunities for both emerging and professional players.
“My vision is to bring tennis back into national focus — to make it as exciting and unifying as football. I bring experience, exposure, and valuable contacts both locally and internationally. Sports are not just about competition; they’re also about entertainment, and we must make tennis entertaining again,” Ochei stated.
If elected as president of the Tennis Federation, Ochei pledged to revive grassroots development, upgrade infrastructure, and build a sustainable ecosystem that supports players, coaches, and officials alike.
He further emphasized the need to make tennis a viable career for Nigerian athletes.
“Too often, our athletes give their all, only to struggle later in life. That narrative must change — and that’s what I aim to do,” he added.
Reflecting on his journey in sports development, Ochei said one of his most fulfilling experiences was helping people rediscover confidence and purpose through wheelchair basketball — a program that produced remarkable success stories.
Turning to tennis, he lamented the decline of the sport in Nigeria, noting that it was once vibrant and respected internationally.
“Many see tennis as an elite sport, but I see a deeper opportunity. It’s unfortunate that when you look at global tennis rankings — ATP or WTA — you hardly find Nigerians, or even Africans. Apart from a few South Africans, our presence is minimal,” he lamented.
He recalled the golden era of Nigerian tennis, highlighting players such as Nduka Odizor, who once ranked world No. 84 — the nation’s highest achievement in the sport.
“Back then, international players came from all over the world to play in Lagos tournaments. Our courts were full of life. I remember in 1984 watching David Imonitie and Sadiq Abdullahi play at the Ikoyi Club — the passion was electrifying. But somehow, that spark faded,” Ochei said.
Ochei expressed optimism that with the right leadership, commitment, and strategic development, Nigeria can once again produce world-class tennis players and reclaim its place on the global stage.
“The future of Nigerian tennis lies in strategic development, inclusivity, and passion. My mission is to make Nigeria a strong contender in world tennis, empower our athletes, and change lives through the power of sport,” he concluded.
