Kogi State Table Tennis contingent to the just concluded Micheal and Felicia Alabi Narional Table tennis championship in Otan Ayegbaju in Osun State have returned with two medals, a Gold and Bronze Medal.
Joseph Marvelous won a Gold Medal while Josph Victor got a Bronze medal. Both Medals came from the same U-15 Cadet boys singles.
The Championship which took place in the South West State of Osun also had participants from other State.
Head Coach Kogi State Table Tennis Association Coach Friday Abah said its a good thing that the effort he has consistently put in to give this young sensations a purposeful direction in the game of Table tennis is no doubt yielding unquantifiable benefits and result for Kogi State considering their level of performance and laurels won.
” These youngsters have proven that with Hardwork, determination, courage, doggedness and resilience they can become international champions.
We have consistently trained them and also honoured various championships in which we have performed creditably ”
” One of the major problems we have continually faced is lack of Sponsorship and support.
An appreciable percentage of these championships we have attended in the past including this one were all bankrolled by us with the support of few passionate Table Tennis enthusiasts ”
Coach Friday Abah called on Kogi state government and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to help young energetic, athletic kogites who are passionate about sports to take their God given talents to another level.
He said sports can be used as a veritable tool to reduce unemployment and curb youth restiveness if given proper attention and priority.
It will be recalled that last month, another Kogi born promising Table Tennis talent Joshua Samson qualified to represent Nigeria in the forthcoming 2025 International Table Tennis Federation Africa Hope Week Challenge slated for July in Lagos.
According to coach Abbah Joshua Samson who won the hope week challenge U12 in Lagos last month April has signed all necessary documents to represent Nigeria in an international championship and he has directed to go and do his international passport for the journey ahead
Meanwhile,Marvelous Joseph U15 player who just won a gold medal last week at the Michael and Felicia Alabi national table tennis championship has also been directed to do his international passport so as to represent Nigeria in an international championship.
Reacting to the development the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Hon. Aridaojo Monday Anyebe described it as a welcome development.
Hon. Aridaojo Monday Anyebe said the present administration under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo will do everything possible to ensure the growth of tennis sports in Kogi State.
The Commissioner assured the athletes of all the necessary support towards the progress of their dreams in the tennis sporting activities in the state and Nigeria in general.
James Sani Information Officer Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development Lokoja.
