The 3rd Offiong Edem Youth Table Tennis Tournament showcased exceptional talent from
Abia, Cross River, and Bayelsa states, featuring 42 young participants from six states across Nigeria.
The tournament, sponsored by national table tennis star Offiong Edem, aimed to uncover fresh talents and prevent the decline of table tennis in Cross River State.
In the U-13 girls’ category, Chinyere Okafor from Abia State emerged victorious, defeating
her opponent Esther Ekok from Cross River State in a thrilling 3-2 sets final held at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar. In the U-14 boys’ category, David Uche, also from Abia State, triumphed over Daniel Ekok from Cross River in a closely contested 3-2 sets match.
In the U-17 girls’ class, Idoreyin Udoka from Cross River State defeated Vivian Oku, also
from Cross River, securing the title with a three sets to two victory. Bayelsa State’s Mathewv John emerged as the U-17 boys’ champion by defeating Bright Joel from Cross River with a 3-2 score line.
Offiong Edem expressed her motivation to sponsor the competition, stating her desire to
discover and nurture young talents for the country. She emphasized the importance of the
yearly tournament in preserving the game of table tennis in Cross River State.
Edem’s objective was to provide opportunities for children from various states, ensuring they enjoyed the sport, won prize money, and received essential training equipment, which is often difficult to obtain. By hosting the tournament annually, Edem aimed to keep the participants in good shape and prevent the decline of table tennis in Cross River State while encouraging other players to practice and excel.
As a gesture of motivation, Offiong Edem announced a cash prize of N40,000 for each winner, with other participants receiving rewards based on their positions in each category. The
tournament attracted six participants from Akwa Ibom, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Cross River states.
During the closing ceremony, Nnamdi Uzoewulu, the Branch Manager of Zenith Bank,
applauded the Offiong Edem Foundation for its efforts in supporting and reviving table tennis in Cross River State.
He expressed pride in the initiative and highlighted the neglect of the game by the government in recent years. Ifeoma Isaac, the Chief Coach of Abia State Table Tennis, also praised the foundation for its commitment to grooming young talents in the sport.
The third edition of the Offiong Edem Foundation Tournament showcased the immense
potential of young table tennis players from Abia, Cross River, and Bayelsa states. The
tournament not only provided a platform for these talented individuals to shine but also
served as a catalyst for the growth and development of table tennis in the region.
Through her foundation, Offiong Edem continues to make a significant impact in promoting the sport and nurturing the next generation of table tennis stars.
