Baskadia

NaijaBlaseTv Sports: Offiong Edem Foundation’s 6th Table Tennis Talent Hunt Ends in Calabar

By Ettah Emmanuel O.
Our Correspondent

CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE — The sixth edition of the Offiong Edem Foundation Table Tennis Talent Hunt Programme has successfully ended in Calabar, with Matthew John of Smash Trade Table Tennis Academy, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, emerging as the overall champion.

The three-day grassroots table tennis competition, which attracted young talents from 15 states across Nigeria, was held at the Cross River State Table Tennis Indoor Sports Hall, U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

In the Senior Boys final, Matthew John delivered a commanding performance, defeating Bright Aniekan of Ultra Kings Table Tennis Academy, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, 4–0to claim the gold medal.

The Senior Girls final also produced an exciting contest, with Elizabeth Emenike of Abia State defeating Vivian Ekpenyong Oku of Ultra Kings Table Tennis Club, Uyo, 4–1.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, the Chairman of the Occasion, High Chief Cyril Anthony Asuquo, commended former African champion and five-time Olympian Offiong Edem for using sport as a vehicle for youth development and positive engagement.

He called on other sports personalities, philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the initiative by investing in grassroots sporting programmes capable of discovering talents and providing young people with productive opportunities.

The Special Guest and Chairman of Ultrafit Table Tennis Academy, Uyo, Mr. Mfon Monday Ekpo, also praised Offiong Edem for sustaining a competition that provides young athletes from the South-South and South-East regions with an avenue to showcase their abilities.

Mr. Ekpo described the organisation of the tournament as impressive and expressed his readiness to partner with the foundation in subsequent editions.

Speaking on the vision behind the tournament, Offiong Edem, the sponsor and founder of the programme, said the initiative was created as a way of giving back to the sport that played a major role in her successful career.

According to her, the talent hunt is designed to identify, nurture and develop young table tennis players while providing them with the competitive exposure needed to pursue careers in the sport.

Offiong Edem further disclosed that the foundation is working towards transforming the competition into a national table tennis tournament, with plans to attract participants from all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in future editions.

The competition featured several categories, including Senior Boys, Senior Girls, Under-15, Under-13 and Under-11, with medals and cash prizes presented to outstanding athletes.

The successful conclusion of the sixth edition represents another milestone in the Offiong Edem Foundation's commitment to grassroots sports development, youth empowerment, talent discovery and positive community engagement.

With participation expanding across regions and plans for national coverage underway, the Offiong Edem Table Tennis Talent Hunt Programme continues to provide a platform for young Nigerian athletes to develop their skills and pursue their sporting dreams.