NUJ Cross River chapter to partner Offiong Edem Foundation coaching clinic, competition
Offiong Edem, a veteran and four-time national women’s table tennis champion has made a compelling appeal to Nigeria’s private sector to meaningfully increase its involvement in the sponsorship and promotion of table tennis in the country.
Edem, a five-time Olympian, voiced her concerns during a recent courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Archibong Esu in Calabar. She stressed that the paucity of financial backing is the most significant barrier to the advancement of tennis in Nigeria.
The decorated athlete lamented the prevailing circumstance where individual players solicit funds to participate in international competition, a practice she posits is detrimental to the long-term prospect of the sport. She cited a recent instance where a talented female player was compelled to withdraw from a prestigious global tournament due to the inability to buy air ticket.
Edem dwelt as well on the high cost of acquiring professional tennis equipment, which limits Nigerian players, including herself, to compete on the international stage wearing outdated costumes due to financial constraints, a situation that inevitably impact their outputs.
She pointed out that sponsorship from the Ministry of Sports or other governmental bodies is only forthcoming for major international events such as the Olympics and the African Games, where tennis is grouped alongside numerous other sporting disciplines.
She is currently in Calabar to conduct a two-day table tennis coaching clinic for aspiring young players, a precursor to the Offiong Edem Foundation Table Tennis Competition starting Thursday, April 17th.
Edem emphasized the abundance of table tennis talent across Nigeria stressing the need for Nigerian players to gain exposure through participation in international competitions in order to refine their skills and boost competitive confidence.
In response, Comrade Archibong lauded Edem for her proactive effort in organizing both the coaching clinic and the foundation competition having recognized the need in nurturing the future of Nigerian table tennis. She commended her dedication to mentoring a new generation of players who will succeed her on the national and international stage.
In addition, Archibong urged parents to encourage their children to have interests in sports alongside their academic pursuits, noting the potential of sports in dousing youth delinquency as well as receding crimes in the community.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
