Member of Parliament for Old Tafo and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has raised alarm over what he describes as an urgent funding crisis confronting the Ghana Tennis Federation, warning that Ghana’s participation in two major international tournaments could be jeopardized if immediate intervention is not secured.
In a statement shared on Facebook, the lawmaker expressed deep concern about the financial struggles facing the Federation despite what he described as the “remarkable progress” being made by Ghanaian tennis players on the international stage.
“I am deeply concerned about the growing funding challenges confronting the Ghana Tennis Federation despite the remarkable progress being made by our young athletes on the international stage,” he stated.
According to him, Ghana’s junior tennis players continue to excel in various international categories including U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-18 competitions, often relying heavily on the sacrifices of private individuals and committed supporters to sustain their development and participation.
“Ghana continues to make waves on the junior tennis circuit, with talented players representing the nation in the U-12, U-14, U-16, and U-18 categories,” he noted.
“It is commendable that many of these young athletes are competing largely through the sacrifices and sponsorship of private individuals and dedicated supporters who believe in the future of Ghana tennis,” he added.
The MP disclosed that Ghana’s participation in two prestigious global tennis competitions – the Davis Cup in Kenya scheduled for June and the Billie Jean King Cup in Gaborone, Botswana in July is currently under serious threat due to inadequate funding.
“These tournaments are globally recognized as the World Cup of Tennis for men and women respectively, and they provide critical exposure and development opportunities for our athletes while enhancing Ghana’s sporting reputation internationally,” he stressed.
Assafuah further revealed that the Ghana Tennis Federation has for the past 15 years depended significantly on participation grants from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and support from corporate institutions within Ghana. However, he lamented that the Federation has suffered a major financial setback this year following a substantial reduction in ITF support.
“Unfortunately, this year has seen a significant reduction of nearly 50 percent in participation grants from the ITF,” he disclosed.
He also attributed part of the challenge to the concentration of sponsorship attention on football, particularly the Black Stars and Ghana’s FIFA World Cup campaign, leaving lesser-funded sporting disciplines struggling to survive.
“At the same time, many corporate institutions have redirected their sporting support and sponsorship efforts towards the Black Stars and the FIFA World Cup campaign, leaving other sporting disciplines struggling for survival,” he said.
Despite efforts by the Federation to mobilize support and raise funds, the Ranking Member indicated that little progress has been made so far, creating uncertainty not only around the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup but also the upcoming ITF Masters tournament expected to be hosted in Ghana in August.
“This situation poses a serious threat to Ghana’s participation and preparation for these international competitions, as well as the upcoming ITF Masters event scheduled to be hosted in Ghana in August, which is expected to attract tennis players and officials from across the world,” he cautioned.
The legislator emphasized that sports development in Ghana must go beyond football and called for equitable national investment across multiple sporting disciplines.
“As Ranking Member on the Youth and Sports Committee of Parliament, I wish to stress that the development of sports in Ghana cannot and must not be limited to football alone,” he asserted.
“While the Black Stars remain an important national asset, other sporting disciplines equally deserve the attention, investment, and support of the state and corporate Ghana,” he added.
Assafuah subsequently appealed to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, the National Sports Authority, the Ghana Olympic Committee, corporate Ghana and all stakeholders within the sports sector to urgently support the Ghana Tennis Federation financially.
“I therefore call on the Minister for Sports and Recreation, the National Sports Authority, the Ghana Olympic Committee, corporate Ghana, and all relevant stakeholders within the sports ecosystem to urgently intervene and provide the necessary financial support to the Ghana Tennis Federation,” he appealed.
He further urged the media and the Ghanaian public to rally behind the Federation and amplify calls for support towards the development of tennis in the country.
“Our athletes continue to demonstrate resilience and determination despite limited support, and they deserve the collective backing of the nation,” he stated.
“Supporting Ghana tennis today is an investment in the future of Ghanaian sports,” Assafuah concluded.
Source: Purefmonlinegh.com || Evans Osei-Bonsu || 2026
