‘Unity through Tennis’ advocate Gina Asiedu-Ofei receives an ACS Award in the United States

Ghanaian philanthropist, Gina Asiedu-Ofei has received an award at the African Community Service Awards (ACSA) 2023 for her remarkable contributions in promoting tennis in Ghana and across borders.

The award ceremony was held on September 3, at the Hilton Hotel Plaza Ballroom, Alexandria Mark Center, VA, in the United States.

Since 2016, ACSA has honoured and celebrated individuals or groups who have given their time and resources to help Africans over the world or foster a strong sense of community togetherness, especially Africans on the mother continent, Africans in Diaspora, and African-Americans.

Gina’s foundation, Bergins Outreach is synonymous with supporting aspiring tennis players, fostering love for the game and creating an inclusive environment. As a US-based Ghanaian tennis player, she has grown soft spot for promoting tennis youngsters in Ghana.

Over the years, Gina and her team has worked to improve lives in communities by combining tennis and education. They have provided low-cost and free athletic clothes, tennis equipment, and school supplies to youngsters to encourage them become more active, and improve their overall health.

“Receiving the African Community Service Award is like hitting a perfect backhand – unexpected, thrilling, and incredibly satisfying,” said Gina in her acceptance speech.

Since its establishment, Bergins Outreach has proven reliable on encouraging local tennis participation in Ghana. It has supported tennis clubs across Ghana’s sixteen regions; some of its popular beneficiaries include Ho Tennis Club, St. Francis Tennis Academy, Atomic Tennis Club, Reach Tennis Club etc.

“Our tennis equipment donations are to ensure that young tennis players enjoy the opportunity to further and improve their training. This is to create opportunities for kids to be active, fit and healthy to reduce sedentary behaviour which is attributable to childhood obesity,” said Gina to TheAfricanDream.net in an interview.