Seven States Converge For Cross River Table Tennis Showdown

By NINI NDUONOFIT-AKOH

The third Calabar Table Tennis Challenge has drawn players from seven states to Cross River, aiming to identify promising talents and sustain the sport across Nigeria. Participants hail from Lagos, Anambra, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Ogun, and host Cross River, competing across senior, cadet, and veteran categories.

Chairman John Akintola highlighted the tournament’s national significance, noting its track record in producing professionals like Orok Etim and Nigeria’s number one female player, Hope Udoaka.

The two-day competition, strategically aligned with the Calabar Carnival, is funded through voluntary contributions and offers a total prize pool of about ₦1.3 million.

Umo Usen, Vice Chairman of the Cross River Table Tennis Association, praised the standard of play and the event’s role in building confidence among young athletes. Defending champions Udoaka and Samuel Boboye encouraged participants to stay disciplined, train hard, and balance sporting ambitions with education.