From Local Courts to College Campuses

The Donkor Tennis and Education Foundation is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives of underserved and underprivileged youth in the Accra region of Ghana through access to free high-quality tennis instruction, educational support, and development of life skills. Our mission is to empower children by providing pathways to higher education in Ghana and potential college scholarships in the U.S. We hope to break down barriers, so every child can succeed both on and off the court, unlocking their full potential and becoming leaders who uplift their communities.

The Foundation has helped two students obtain scholarships in the US. With the help of Dan O’Connell at New Mexico military institute, Herman Abban and Francisca Nyarko have both started attending New Mexico and have had an amazing start to their college career!!!

 DTEF Tennis Pathway: From Roots to Greatness

A national development model for Ghanaian youth tennis players to progress from community courts to college and professional opportunities.

1. Grassroots Aces (Ages 10 & Under)

Building Strong Foundations for Ghana’s Next Generation

• Introductory tennis through schools, clubs, and community programs

• Red, orange, and green dot balls on age-appropriate courts

• Basic footwork, coordination, and stroke development

• Group learning focused on fun, inclusivity, and participation

• Mini-tennis match play, festivals, and team events

• Emphasis on core values: respect, discipline, and teamwork

2. Rising Aces (Ages 11–14)

Developing Talent and National Competitiveness

• Transition to yellow ball and full-size courts

• Weekly structured training by certified and or experienced coaches

• Development of tactical play, shot selection, and consistency

• Participation in junior  and UTR tournaments

• Strength, agility, and injury prevention introduced

• Mental toughness, focus, and match preparation training

• Inspired by African descend tennis role models: Frances Tiafoe, Gael Monfils,, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Félix Auger-Aliassime, and Victoria Mboko and many more

3. College Elite Pathway (Ages 15–18)

Creating Opportunities for Global Excellence

• High-performance coaching tailored to individual player goals

• National and international tournament exposure (ITF and, UTR)

• College tennis preparation: NCAA/NAIA eligibility education and recruiting support

• Strategic partnership with NJTL Chapter JTCC for high-level programming, tournament        

  opportunities, and U.S. college visit experiences

• Support with SAT/ACT prep, recruitment videos, and application strategy

• Holistic player development: fitness, nutrition, and mental performance

• Access to scholarship pathways, college showcases, and virtual mentoring

• Leadership and character building through community tennis outreach