DavNotch Eyes Bigger Tennis Championship as Prize Money, Player Welfare Set for Major Boost
Oru Leonard
DavNotch Nigeria Limited has unveiled plans to substantially increase prize money and welfare packages for players and officials in future editions of the DavNotch National Open Tennis Championship, reaffirming its long-term commitment to developing tennis in Nigeria.
The company’s Managing Director, Emmanuel Ochei, announced the initiative on Friday during a press briefing ahead of the grand finale of the sixth edition of the championship in Abuja.
Ochei said the tournament, organised in partnership with the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading privately sponsored tennis competitions since its launch in 2021, providing a platform for talent discovery, player development and elite competition.
He noted that more than 1,000 players have participated in the championship over the past six editions, with many progressing to become national champions and key figures in Nigerian tennis.
Current national champions Canis Abua and Itoro Bassey are among the competition’s success stories, alongside previous winners Joseph Ime, David Epeyong, Daniel Adeleye, Onyilomo Quadre, Marylove Edwards, Anu Ayegbusi and defending women’s singles champion Success Ogunjobi.
According to Ochei, Nigeria possesses enormous tennis talent capable of competing with the world’s best if given adequate opportunities and support.
“Our mission is to provide these athletes with the platform, exposure, encouragement and support they require to realise their full potential,” he said.
He also paid glowing tribute to the late former President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Engineer Ifedayo Akindoju, describing him as a visionary administrator whose guidance and commitment were instrumental in establishing the credibility of the championship from its inaugural edition.
Ochei said Akindoju’s legacy would continue to inspire future generations of players and sports administrators, adding that his immense contributions to Nigerian tennis and the DavNotch National Open Tennis Championship would never be forgotten.
He further highlighted the inclusion of wheelchair tennis in the tournament as evidence of DavNotch’s commitment to inclusiveness and equal opportunities for athletes living with disabilities.
Commending the current NTF President, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, and members of the federation’s board, the DavNotch boss praised their efforts in sustaining the growth of tennis across the country.
He announced that future editions of the tournament would feature enhanced prize money alongside improved welfare packages for players, coaches, technical officials, umpires and ball kids.
“Our determination is to make this championship one of the most rewarding and professionally organised tennis tournaments on the African continent while prioritising the welfare of everyone involved,” he said.
Ochei also expressed appreciation to coaches, technical officials, players and the media for contributing to the steady growth and rising profile of the championship.
Representing the NTF President at the briefing, the federation’s Vice President, Owoseni Adeyemi, apologised for Victor Ochei’s absence due to official engagements before delivering his address.
Adeyemi commended DavNotch Nigeria Limited for sustaining its sponsorship of Nigerian tennis for six consecutive years, expressing optimism that the partnership would continue for decades.
He outlined major reforms introduced by the current NTF administration, including the launch of a comprehensive digital player registration system to build a reliable national database and renewed emphasis on grassroots tennis development.
The Vice President described Nigeria’s qualification for the Davis Cup World Group II after defeating higher-ranked Uzbekistan as one of the federation’s greatest achievements in recent years.
Ranked 74th globally, Nigeria upset 49th-ranked Uzbekistan, with Daniel Adeleye winning two crucial singles matches before Canis Abua and Michael Emmanuel sealed promotion through victory in the decisive doubles match.
Adeyemi also praised the successful hosting of the 2026 ITF J30 Junior Circuit and the recently concluded CBN National Open Tennis Championship, saying both competitions have strengthened Nigeria’s domestic tennis calendar and demonstrated the country’s ability to host world-class tournaments.
He announced that the federation plans to immortalise the late Engineer Ifedayo Akindoju by naming the centre court of the National Tennis Centre after him in recognition of his immense contributions to Nigerian tennis.
The federation reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with DavNotch while pursuing new initiatives to improve tournament standards, player welfare and compliance with international best practices.
Speaking on behalf of the players, defending women’s singles champion Success Ogunjobi thanked DavNotch, the Nigeria Tennis Federation and coaches for creating more opportunities for athletes to compete.
Nigeria’s wheelchair tennis captain, Wasiu Yusuf, also applauded the organisers for consistently including the wheelchair category since the championship’s inception while appealing for additional competitions to improve players’ national rankings.
Responding to the appeal, DavNotch assured players that welfare packages would continue to improve, stressing that disciplined athletes would remain central to the company’s support programmes.
The sixth edition of the DavNotch National Open Tennis Championship will conclude on Saturday in Abuja with the finals and closing ceremony, marking another milestone in the tournament’s growing contribution to the development of Nigerian tennis.
