Sports
Sports: Ochei Unveils Youth-Focused Reforms to Grow Tennis in Nigeria
Joel Ajayi
President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, has unveiled plans by the federation’s new board to boost interest in tennis among young Nigerians and drive nationwide participation in the sport.
Ochei made this known on Saturday during the Arise TV Global Sports programme, where he outlined the federation’s vision for transforming tennis in Nigeria through innovative reforms and long-term development strategies.
According to him, one of the key initiatives is the creation of a central registration platform for tennis players across the country. Under the system, every registered player will be assigned a unique identification number to help build a comprehensive national database and improve access to clubs and competitions.
“We want every registered tennis player to have a player’s number. This will help us build a comprehensive compendium and also make it easier for players to access tennis clubs and competitions nationwide,” he said.
Ochei also spoke on his longstanding commitment to sports development, recalling that while serving as a lawmaker in Delta State, he invested heavily in youth empowerment through sporting programmes, including sponsorship for wheelchair basketball athletes.
He noted that he personally funded athletes and teams to participate in international competitions in countries such as Algeria, South Africa, Germany and Brazil, helping Nigerian talents gain global exposure.
At the grassroots level, Ochei said he has continued to sustain youth engagement through his annual Village Unity Cup competition, a tournament designed to promote peace, unity and community development.
He further revealed that he established a stadium and sports development centre to discover, nurture and train young athletes to professional standards.
Looking ahead, Ochei announced that the federation is developing a 10-year Strategic Tennis Growth Plan covering 2026 to 2036. The programme will focus on talent discovery and player development in age categories of 4–8, 8–12, 12–16 and 16–18 years, with special attention on primary and secondary schools nationwide.
“Our target is to catch them young, build their interest early, and create a sustainable pipeline of champions who will represent Nigeria with pride,” Ochei added.
Sports
From Boardroom To Battlefield: Corporate Giants Trade Deals For Goals As Third Edition Of Corporate Stars League Kicks Off
Joel Ajayi
Ten corporate giants are preparing to swap boardroom meetings, spreadsheets and strategy decks for football boots, tactical battles and bragging rights as the Corporate Stars League returns with a promise of fierce competition, corporate networking and business deals that could extend beyond the touchline.
For five weekends, beginning Saturday, October 24, 2026, participating organisations will battle for supremacy on the pitch, where boardroom influence counts for little without teamwork, skill, determination and the ability to find the back of the net.
This year, new contenders have thrown their hats into the ring, hoping to dethrone defending champions Norrenberger and prevent them from making it back-to-back titles.
But Norrenberger are not surrendering their crown without a fight. Their representative, Victor Olamide Mattews, insists the champions are ready to defend their title, warning challengers that stopping them will be no easy task.
The company’s ambition to simplify wealth creation and champion inclusive financial solutions appears to extend beyond the financial market, with the champions eager to establish their dominance on the football pitch as well.
Telecommunications giant MTN, whose slogan is “Everywhere You Go,” will also be looking to make a stronger impression after falling short last season. Their representative, Abubakar Bako says the team is returning with renewed determination, hoping to improve its performance and ensure that this time, its presence is felt across the competition.
The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) is also taking its reach beyond financial statements and revenue collection to test its strength on the pitch. But whether its reform-driven approach can translate into football success remains another ball game entirely.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PI-CNG & EV), David Idakwo, says although this is the organisation’s first appearance in the competition, the team is ready to learn and challenge established conventions.
Similarly, Hassan Haruna of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) says the organisation hopes to translate its financial discipline into tactical precision, sound decision-making and a winning performance on the pitch.
Then comes Beer and Barn, ready to bring its own flavour to the contest. Beyond the football, the hospitality brand offers grilled pub meals, shawarma, live-band performances and energetic DJ nights. Its representatives will hope to make their presence felt on the pitch as much as they do in the entertainment and hospitality scene.
However, the competition is not just about goals, celebrations and corporate bragging rights. With the Nigeria Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), the Pension Commission (PenCom) and Jaiz Bank also among the participating organisations, the banter is already gathering momentum.
From playful jibes about power supply and infrastructure to pension benefits, investment decisions and corporate expansion, the pre-tournament exchanges have added another layer of excitement to a competition where professional rivalries will temporarily give way to football banter.
But when the whistle blows, the real talking will have to be done with the ball. Every misplaced pass, missed chance and defensive lapse could prove costly, while a moment of brilliance could separate champions from challengers.
Speaking after the draws and unveiling of the teams, 5Stars Operations Manager, Misal Dikko, said this year’s edition promises a higher level of competition, with more participating teams and increased expectations from corporate management.
“We are going to have an interesting competition, especially with the number of participating teams and the level of expectations from management. They have shown they are ready to put their money where their mouth is by supporting their teams with all the necessary logistics,” Dikko said.
With ten corporate teams preparing to battle over five weekends, the Corporate Stars League promises more than football. It is a meeting point for competition, camaraderie, networking and business opportunities.
For the defending champions, the mission is to protect their crown. For the challengers, it is a chance to rewrite the story. And for every team, the ultimate objective is clear: turn corporate ambition into football glory.
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