Barima Kwabena Kwakye, Nifahene of Anumso, popularly known as ‘Great Okoro’, who decided at a tender age to make tennis his life, has revealed that the sport has been beneficial to him and that he is positively impacting others.
He started as a ball boy, became Ashanti Regional Champion, Poly Champion, and represented Ghana on many occasions. He is an ITF-certified coach and established the Great Okoro Games Academy at Sunyani.
Speaking to Yours Truly in an exclusive interview, he said tennis is love and life, because the sport teaches how to be patient and when to be aggressive.
“In tennis, there are chances to be better, and that is a key in life; when life is tough, you know how to go, and when everything is fine, you know how to play,” he said.
According to Daniel Kwakye aka Great Okoro, he started playing tennis before he clocked ten years, and he is still playing. He has won many laurels for himself and his nation; now he has an academy and a court where he trains future champions.
He is the Tournament Coordinator / Technical Director for the upcoming Ga Mantse Open, which has been unveiled, but the dates are yet to be announced.
He said the Ga Mantse Open 2026 is an opportunity created by Georgina Nettey of GeNet Services and the Ga Traditional Council as well as the Ghana Tennis Federation to raise awareness of tennis and give chances to young players to play and win.
He noted that everyone from anywhere is invited to register and participate, as there would be cash and trophies at stake to be won.
Nana Kwakye thanked the Ghana Tennis Federation (GTF) for the opportunity given him, and promised to deliver a splendid event.
He urged tennis enthusiasts to come to the Accra Sports Stadium to cheer and have fun, because everyone who loves tennis would be recognized on the occasion.
The competitions include men’s and women’s singles, juniors and wheelchair tennis.
The Ga Mantse Tennis Open is designed to be part of the celebrations for this year’s Homowo Festival.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
