BY: Vitalis Ugoh,Calabar
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Offiong Edem Foundation, a Professional Table Tennis Star and legend has concluded plans to host a Mini-Table Tennis Tournament for Children between the ages of 7–15 from five states.
The states are, Abia, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers and Cross River respectively at the U.J Esuene Stadium on the 3rd to 7th June 2023.
According to the Cross River-born international Table Tennis champion, “I do not want Table Tennis to die with me, in Cross River State, that is why I decided to use this opportunity to host a Mini-Table Tennis Tournament in order to groom Young Star”.
“I am also inviting other neighbouring states to participate in this year’s event which is open to all children between 7-15 years. This will be a great opportunity for the kids to showcase their Table Tennis Skills, she noted “.
Edem who qualified for the finals of the European Table Tennis Cup is currently playing in Qratro Mori Tennis Tavolo in Sardinia, Italy.
She said that few issues have been put in place in preparedness for the finals.
She revealed that she would pair with Romanian top ranked players, Tania Plaina and Adreea Dragoman during the finals.
“We will be playing against the Hungarian team. They belong to Budaorsi Hungary.”
“We defeated them 3-2 in the first leg home matches: that was on the 2nd of April 2023.”
Before berthing in the finals, Edem’s team had defeated the Italian team in quarter finals 3-1. They had also defeated the French team in the semifinals 3-1.
Edem disclosed that after the continental Table Tennis championship, she will return to Nigeria to organize Tournaments for different categories of Cross River young Table Tennis stars.
“It is true that I am planning to come home to organize the annual Offiong Edem Table Tennis tournaments.
“Prizes, Tennis equipment and empowerments would be given out to the young budding stars.
“The tournaments will aim at discovering new talents and encourage older ones.”
