The Ghana Tennis Federation (GTF) has issued an urgent appeal to the government warning that the country faces a imminent risk of demotion from international tennis competitions due to a severe funding shortfall.
For the past 15 years, the Federation has operated without state funding, relying instead on corporate sponsorships and participation grants from the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Key partners have included Stanbic Bank, MTN, Telecel, KGL Foundation, Nii Plant Car Rentals, the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), and contributions from GTF Board Members.
However, two major challenges have severely hampered preparations for the Davis Cup and Billie Jean Cup events scheduled for June in Nairobi, Kenya, and July in Gaborone, Botswana.
First, the Federation reports an overcrowding of the corporate sponsorship space, largely attributed to the Black Stars’ participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026. This has diverted corporate attention and resources away from tennis and other sporting disciplines.
Second, the ITF participation grant has been reduced by 50 percent following the withdrawal of a key sponsorship contract, leaving the GTF with a critical funding gap.
According to the GTF, failure to participate in these events will result in Ghana’s demotion, a setback that would not only damage the country’s international tennis reputation but also constitute a national embarrassment.
In a press release dated May 5, 2026, the Federation made a clarion call on the Government of Ghana to urgently reclaim its primary role in funding national sports activities, particularly tennis, to safeguard Ghana’s standing in global competitions.
The Federation remains committed to nurturing talent, promoting sports development, and representing Ghana with pride, but this mission cannot be achieved without the state’s intervention,” the statement read.
