Sports

Taking Nigerian Tennis to an Enviable Position is My Target – Victor Ochei

Published

12 months ago

October 23, 2025

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 primary goal is to reposition Nigerian tennis and elevate it to an enviable global standard if given the opportunity to lead the federation.

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 stems from years of involvement in empowering athletes, particularly persons with disabilities, through initiatives such as wheelchair basketball.

If elected as president of the Tennis Federation, Ochei pledged to restore the glory days by developing grassroots talent, improving infrastructure, and building an ecosystem that supports both players and officials.

“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,” he stated.

He stressed that Nigerian athletes deserve a sustainable career path in sports, with proper sponsorships, endorsements, and career management to ensure long-term well-being even after retirement.

“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,” Ochei concluded.
According to him, the future of Nigerian tennis lies in strategic development, inclusivity, and passion, and his mission is to make Nigeria a strong contender on the world tennis stage.

Reflecting on his journey in sports development, Ochei said that the joy of giving people a new lease on life remains one of his most rewarding achievements.

Turning to tennis, he emphasized that the sport in Nigeria needs a complete revival.

“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 further recalled the golden years of Nigerian tennis, citing names like 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.

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Sports

Montage Community Football Tourney Registration Ends October 30

Published

12 hours ago

October 22, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

Registration for the 2026 edition of the Montage Community Football Tournament will close on Friday, October 30, organisers have announced.

The tournament coordinator, Mr Raphael Ekpang, disclosed this on Thursday, urging interested teams across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take advantage of the remaining days to register.

Ekpang said registration had been ongoing since Monday, encouraging eligible teams to complete the process before the deadline.

The tournament, themed “Montage FM 99.7: Empowering Youth, Uniting Communities Through Football,” is scheduled to kick off on November 3, 2026, with playoffs across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

The grand finale will hold on December 5, 2026, at the Old Parade Ground, Garki Area 10, Abuja, where the top four teams will compete for first-, second- and third-place honours.

A total of 48 teams will participate in the competition, with eight teams representing each of the six Area Councils.

The participating teams will compete for cash prizes worth over ₦2 million and other valuable rewards.

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