Nigeria Tennis Live is debuting with the first ever episode of its new series, know your coach, and our first guest is the small but mighty Coach Oke Joseph, who has nine years coaching experience.
The Jos-based tennis handler shared with us, some of the players he had mentored, when he thinks Nigeria can produce a Grand Slam winner, among other issues.
Full name: Oke Joseph
Coaching experience: 9years
Players groomed to prominence: Oche Adehi, Tony Obekpa, Noah Yussuf, etc
Tennis outfit, clubs coached: SOFIT TENNIS JOS. TECHVIBES TEAM.
Qualifications: Msc. Sport Mgt., ITF, NIS CERTIFIED.
Ambition with coaching: My ambition is to groom players worthy in character and learning, that will grow to be a good role model to generation after them. I also desire to see them become good fathers, mothers in the future. I also desire to groom players that could compete in ATP, Grand Slams.
When Nigeria will win a Grand Slam: Good things are good & desired by many but these things have their prices, and until we are ready to pay the price… we’re not likely to win.
How has the NTF helped your coaching career? I have gained so much through series of training and retrainings that have been organised by NTF. I have never missed any workshop or trainings organised by the federation and it’s a conscious effort because no one is an island of knowledge.
Even if you think you know everything, conferences or workshops of such have a way of reminding or renewing your mind and reawakening one into realisation of work that is ahead.
Proudest moment: When we won the NCC Tennis League in 2018.
Most difficult moment: When robbers shot at the driver of the bus that was bringing my players from a junior tournament in Abuja.
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Meal: Amala
Favorite Musician: Fela Kuti