From Kano Dala Hard Courts to the helm of Nigerian Tennis – Yusuf Datti

By Maxwell Kumoye  

 

 

When Alhaji Yusuf Datti walked into the election hall at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, last Saturday, he was already known in Nigerian tennis circles as a man of quiet influence and enduring commitment.

As Tournament Director of the famous Kano Dala Hard Courts Tennis Championship, one of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious tennis events, Datti had spent years nurturing talents, sustaining sponsorships, and keeping the spirit of the game alive in the North.

By the end of that day, his name would be etched on a larger canvas. Datti was overwhelmingly elected Vice President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) — a recognition not just of his administrative acumen but of his consistency in building tennis from the grassroots upward.

A RESOUNDING MANDATE

In an election supervised by the National Sports Commission (NSC), Datti secured 12 out of 14 votes, a landslide that underscored his broad acceptance within the tennis community. Alongside him, Rt. Honourable Victor Ochei, former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, emerged as NTF President, winning with 11 votes.

Datti’s rise was no accident. He had earlier been elected as the North-West Zonal Representative to the federation’s board in an election held in Kaduna last September. 

His background as a sports administrator and educationist — he currently serves as the Registrar of Khalifah Isyaku Rabiu University (KHAIRUN) — made him a standout candidate in an election that blended experience, integrity, and regional balance.

A LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO THE GAME

Over the years, Datti has become synonymous with the Kano Dala Hard Courts Tennis Championship, a tournament that has produced some of Nigeria’s finest tennis players and continues to attract participants from across Africa. Under his stewardship, the event has not only survived economic challenges but has grown in reputation and reach.

For him, tennis is more than a game — it’s a platform for youth empowerment and national unity. “Tennis teaches discipline, focus, and resilience,” Datti often says. “Every time we organize a tournament, we give young Nigerians a reason to dream again.”

A CALL FOR PARTNERSHIP AND PROGRESS

Reacting to his election victory, Datti expressed gratitude to the tennis family for the confidence reposed in him and his colleagues on the new board.

“This victory is not mine alone,” he said. “It belongs to everyone who believes in the future of Nigerian tennis. The trust placed in us is both an honour and a challenge to work harder for the sport.”

He praised the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Alhaji Shehu Dikko, and its Director General, Mr. Olapade, for their commitment to developing sports nationwide, describing their leadership as “a catalyst for progress.”

Looking ahead, Datti emphasized the need for strong partnerships between the federation, corporate bodies, and philanthropists.

“We cannot grow tennis on passion alone,” he noted. “We need strategic support from corporate organizations, wealthy individuals, and political leaders. Together, we can revive tennis courts across the states, support our players, and bring back Nigeria’s glory on the continental and global stages.”

A VISION ALIGNED WITH NATIONAL AGENDA

In his remarks, Datti also lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s ongoing efforts to reposition sports as a viable tool for youth engagement and economic development. 

He expressed optimism that with the renewed energy at the NTF, the coming years would mark a new chapter for Nigerian tennis — one of greater visibility, professionalism, and results.

“We are ready to align with the national sports agenda,” he said. “Our goal is to take tennis to every region, nurture new champions, and make the sport an instrument of pride and unity.”

THE ROAD AHEAD

As the newly elected Vice President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Yusuf Datti brings to the role decades of on-the-ground experience, a deep understanding of grassroots sports development, and a genuine love for tennis.

From the sun-baked hard courts of Kano to the corridors of national sports leadership, his journey reflects persistence, vision, and service. And for Nigerian tennis, his election signals not just continuity — but the promise of renewal.