Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association have to received athletes who made the State proud in the just concluded 4th Offiong Edem South South Mini Table Tennis Tournament in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The Association in its ritual of hosting athletes who have given Bayelsa good representation in tournaments welcomed Clinton Ogbomudia, Matthew John, kemela Udoka and Princess Ekuromune after their brilliant outing in the Canaan City of Calabar.
Matthew John won gold in the U:17 category, Clinton Ogbomudia clinched gold in the U:15 event while Kemela Udoka and Princess Ekuromune’s efforts were rewarded with a bronze medal which amassed to four medals comprising two gold and two bronze medals.
Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali represented by the Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi noted that he is happy to see indigenous table tennis players making exploits within and outside the state, stating that the era of bringing athletes outside the state just to win competitions was over.
Sir Wodi who described Bayelsa as the hub of sports in Nigeria, commended Mr. Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade for building the beautiful table tennis structure in Yenagoa, saying , he is confident that when the edifice is completed, Bayelsa would be the home of table tennis in Nigeria.
According to him, sports has gone beyond playing but a total packaging with Bayelsa State being seen as the latest destination of table tennis in the nation, pointing out that Ebikpolade has given the youths in the state the need to play table tennis, describing him as a beautiful bride in table tennis in Nigeria.
He explained that Mr. Ama-Ebi has changed the face of table tennis in Bayelsa and beyond, urging them to leverage on their achievements recorded in the last National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.
Also, the member representing Brass constituency two in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon.Timi Omubo Agala lauded the Bayelsa State table tennis chairman for investing in the development of sports.
Earlier in an address of welcome, chairman Bayelsa State Table Tennis and South South Zonal Representative in the board of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Mr. Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade said he was charged by the remark in his letter of appointment as chairman, maintaining that it challenged him to invest in table tennis.
Mr. Ebikpolade asserted that when he took over as chairman of the association, part of his objectives was to divide the investment into sections; grooming indigenous players, facilities, equipping and upgrading coaches, pointing out that he met coaches in the association who had no certificates after years of coaching.
According to him, the coaches have been sent to National Institute of Sports in Lagos for the coaches to be upgraded with certificates, assuring Bayelsans of four gold medals in the next National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He noted that plans are underway for undergraduates in the association to be enrolled into the Niger Delta University following the call from the commissioner to enroll them into the NDU, saying that he was leaving nothing to chance for athletes to have a better life after retirement.
The NTTF Zonal Representative announced a scholarship reward for Clinton Ogbomudia, one of the gold medalist in the just concluded 4th Offiong Edem South South Mini Table Tennis Tournament in Calabar.
About Author
