The third edition of the Calabar Table Tennis Challenge has drawn players from seven states, spotlighting the city as a growing hub for sports development in Nigeria.
The two-day tournament, held from Friday to Saturday, aims to nurture young talents and promote the game nationwide.
According to John Akintola, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, the event continues to grow in relevance, attracting players, coaches, and officials from across the country.
Participating states include Lagos, Anambra, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Ogun, and the host state, Cross River.
Akintola explained that the tournament, held annually in December, was established to ensure the continuity of table tennis in Nigeria while creating opportunities for young athletes to showcase their skills.
“The competition was born out of a love for the game and a commitment to youth development,” he said.
Matches were held across multiple age categories, including senior, cadet, and veterans singles, providing broad participation.
Scouts and coaches monitored emerging talents, with the event aligned with the Calabar Carnival to encourage greater involvement.
The tournament has a history of producing top-level athletes. Notable alumni include Orok Etim, currently playing professionally in Italy, and Hope Udoaka, Nigeria’s top female table tennis player.
The defending champions of this year’s challenge, Samuel Boboye of Bayelsa and Hope Udoaka, encouraged younger participants to stay disciplined, train hard, and balance education with sports.
With a total prize pool of approximately N1.3 million, the competition continues to inspire both participants and fans.
Despite the lack of government sponsorship, Akintola noted that the tournament was funded through voluntary contributions from sports enthusiasts, with potential future partnerships with the state government.
Usen Umo, Vice Chairman of the Cross River Table Tennis Association, described the event as crucial for talent grooming, offering young players exposure to high-level competition and boosting their confidence.
Boboye, who hopes to pursue a professional table tennis career after graduating in 2026, stressed the importance of discipline and dedication, while Udoaka highlighted how the competition helped sharpen her competitive mindset and shape her sporting career.
The Calabar Table Tennis Challenge remains a key platform for discovering Nigeria’s next generation of table tennis stars.
