Naa Shika Adu: The ambitious goals of a female sports entrepreneur
Naa Shika Adu — athlete and entrepreneur.
In the cosmopolitan city of Accra, tennis is mainly considered a leisure activity exclusively for the white-collar elite. It’s usually a way, after a rigorous day in the office, to release stress or get a thorough workout. Sometimes it’s really just an impetus for social gathering on a sunny weekend. But to others, the sport means a whole lot more.
Naa Shika Adu, a 30-year-old ebony athlete and entrepreneur, deeply passionate about the sport, manages a boutique tennis academy. She has turned her life-long passion into a thriving business that is helping to improve society.
“It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. And that’s why at Ace Tennis, we focus on nurturing excellence”
Naa Shika first picked up a racket over a decade ago and hasn’t put it down ever since. “I wake up with tennis on my mind. There has never been a day where I’ve hesitated to play.” she said.
She can be found on the court from the wee hours of the morning, pacing up and down the turf, until sundown. It’s this same incredible dedication to her craft and love for the game that has earned her a number of domestic and international accolades. Her trophy cabinet rarely has any space left. Most recently, she won a gold and bronze medal at the 2018 African University Games that was held in Ethiopia.
Naa Shika Adu
Founder, Ace Tennis Academy.
A staunch fitness enthusiast, she radiates a rare exuberance that rubs off on her trainees. A session with Ace Tennis Academy gets you out of your comfort zone; it’s not a walk in the park.
Naa Shika is single-handedly, if need be, determined to ensure an entirely new generation is exposed to tennis as a rewarding career. This is what motivates her to ensure members receive the best possible training. “The most important thing is to keep tennis alive”, she said.
Ms Adu, an advocate for women empowerment, wants to impact the future of tennis in Ghana. And although her academy focuses on all ages, she’s particularly got the interest of the youth at heart, especially young ladies.
“It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. And that’s why at Ace Tennis, we focus on nurturing excellence” she emphasized.
Naa Shika has set out to rebrand tennis as a sport in Ghana and make it attractive to key free market businesses for investment.
Naa Shika Adu
A typical day at the beach.
When she isn’t on the tennis court drilling her trainees with a tough routine, Naa Shika turns her attention to the fine arts; I was a bit puzzled by her portfolio of artwork — it was quite impressive. But of course, for someone with a unique sense of style, it isn’t far-fetched.
A young lady consumed by the attention her business requires, Naa Shika still finds time to revel. She loves to salsa on a night out every now and then, or spend some time at the beach.
Naa Shika Adu has barely scratched the surface with her lofty ambitions to reform tennis in Ghana. It’s a long journey ahead. But she is on course.
Author — V. L. K. Djokoto