South South Zonal Representative in the Board of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and chairman Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade has expressed readiness ahead of the 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.
Ebikpolade in an interview, said the lads are fully prepared for the Games slated from 7th to 17th of September, 2023, stating that preparation had already started before the announcement of the games.
Despite not having the regular Samuel Boboye, Azeez Solonke and Etim Orok the Bayelsa State table tennis chairman, believes that the team is strong enough to stun Nigeria in the Youth version of National Sports Festival.
He hinted that players like Udoh Victor Kemala, Samuel Fineboy and Matthew Elkanah have qualified in male category while Beauty Somiya, Peace Rufus,Ekuromune Princess will represent the State in the women’s, Anointing Moses in Para Table Tennis having completed the elimination series.
The NTTF South South zonal Boss affirmed that all the players going to Asaba for the 7th National Youths Games are players within range of the championship and that the association would never falsify age for any athlete.
Reflecting on the success recorded in Alabi memorial table tennis tournament in Osogbo, Osun State, Ebikpolade revealed that the team would in a few weeks embarked on another tournament in Lagos, the Dr Adegboyega Efunkoya Tennis Foundation Memorial Cadet championship from 22th to 26th of August.
He asserted that the association in the coming days would present medals to players who have competed favorably in different championships, noting that the body would use the event for ranking of players.
Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade thanked the governor Senator Diri Douye and his deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Chief Daniel Igali and Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi for their continuous support for the association.
