By Daniel Oyekan
Stakeholders in Nigerian tennis have welcomed the decision of former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, to contest for the position of President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), describing it as a “step in the right direction” for the sport’s revival.
Ochei, who was recently nominated by the National Sports Commission (NSC) as the Sponsorship/Philanthropy representative on the board of the federation, has reportedly yielded to pressure from stakeholders and enthusiasts to run for the top seat in the forthcoming NTF elections slated for Saturday in Abuja.
The NSC has consistently emphasized its goal of “returning Nigeria to its glorious days in global sports,” maintaining that only individuals of proven integrity and capacity would be endorsed to lead national sports federations. Officials at the Commission are said to be engaging personalities who have made visible contributions to sports growth in the country to ensure that the next phase of leadership brings sustainable impact.
According to reports, Ochei a businessman and long-time tennis patron fits this profile perfectly. For more than half a decade, he has invested over ₦200 million in sponsoring the annual Davnotch Open Tennis Championship, one of the most consistent tournaments on the local tennis calendar.
Speaking on the stakeholders’ choice, Caleb Tsav, one of the leading voices within the tennis community, said the group’s support for Ochei stemmed from his track record of consistent investment and genuine passion for the sport.
“It’s time we got it right with tennis. We have resolved to follow this process from nomination to election to avoid the mistakes of the past,” Tsav said. “The question we’re asking every contestant is simple — what have you done for tennis to qualify you for leadership on the board? Ochei has answered that with his actions.”
He further described Ochei as a “sports philanthropist with an unshakable affinity for tennis,” noting that his passion extends beyond the court.
“He’s an Audemars Piguet Ambassador who has attended all four global tennis Grand Slams for over a decade,” Tsav added. “He’s also sponsored the Onicha-Olona Unity Cup for five years and constructed the Donald Ochei Mini-Stadium in his hometown, Onicha-Olona, in Delta State a feat that deserves emulation.”
Beyond Ochei’s individual aspiration, stakeholders are also advocating for the inclusion of former Nigerian tennis icons Nduka Odizor, David Imonitie, and Sadiq Abdullahi on the federation’s board. The move, they believe, will help blend experience, vision, and technical depth in steering Nigerian tennis toward international relevance.
For many within the sport, Ochei’s emergence offers a new sense of hope after years of stagnation. His deep involvement in both grassroots and professional tennis, stakeholders argue, positions him as a figure capable of bridging administrative experience with passion-driven sports development.
Tsav concluded by emphasizing that leadership in sports federations must prioritize both competence and genuine commitment.
“We must elect those who understand the game, have affinity for it, and can attract sponsorship. These are the catalysts that will take Nigerian sports back to its global prominence,” he said.
With the NTF elections fast approaching, the spotlight now turns to Abuja, where tennis enthusiasts await a decision that could redefine the sport’s direction in Nigeria and possibly restore its long-lost glory.
