Increasing number of coaches have called on the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, NTTF, to conclude plans to float the National League for the sports to enable different clubs in states test their skills and ratings.
These coaches and officials spoke in different interviews at the end of the 4th edition of a 2-day Table Tennis mini tournament organized by Offiong Edem Foundation for children from South South and South East region of Nigeria held at UJ Esuene Stadium Calabar.
Chairman of South East and South-South Table Tennis Coaches Association, Ezofor Pascal stressed that the establishment of such a league is long overdue, adding that it should now be a priority.
“The league can be likened to an examination where students are tested for what they have learnt or trained for.
“Stakeholders and TT players are earnestly looking forward to have it in order to test their capabilities.
“I emphasise that NTTF should seriously lay out modalities to float hr league soon.”
Coach Elsie Peterside of Rivers State TT Association said the league will be a very good development.
“We’re really looking forward for it to take off. We know everything boils down to fund. It’s been agreed since last year to float it but funds are a challenge. Hopefully, before end of this year, the league will happen.”
Also stressing the importance of the league, chairman of Bayelsa State TT TT Association and South-South zonal chairman, Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade said that the league is unavoidable.
“It is imperative that we we think in that direction. In the South South, we want to illustrate that establishing a TT League is very possible.
Ebikpolade said it is possible to run a national Table Tennis League just as Nigerian football federation does with football.
He said towards the actualization of the plan, a mega hall for Table Tennis will be completed end of July 2024 in Bayelsa State.
“Already we have such big Hall in Calabar fitted with modern tennis equipment to support the plan which should come on stream shortly.
“To ensure that, the zone stands out stronger, and also kicks off tournament amongst the clubs in the zone, despute the huge costs, we have donated two Table Tennis to Edo State, two to Rivers, two to Cross River, and one to Akwa Ibom.
“Further plan is to engage the coaches and umpires in trainings in line with international standards. This is important because as you know tournament is like examination. Players, officials and coaches must be done lots of home works before the tournament kicks off soon.
“We have plans to also introduce series of programmes to keep coaches and budding kids busy. Ahead of proposed tournament before all will converge either in Cross River or Bayelsa State.”
