Offiong Edem Foundation Table Tennis Tourney Flags Off With N2.5m At Stake
- 85 Ping pongers on parade for prize money, honours
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The 2025 edition of Offiong Edem Table Tennis Foundation has flagged off in Calabar, Cross River State with 2.5 million Naira prize money at stake for winners of the competition.
Now in its 5th edition, the mini tournament kicked off in Calabar on Thursday, April 17 with seven states and 85 athletes participating.
President of the Foundation, Miss Offiong Edem told newsmen during an interactive session in Calabar that having spent her entire life in the sport, it is now time to give back to society the benevolence of nature.
Edem, who is a five-time Olympian and Nigerian champion in Table Tennis, expressed delight that two kids from her Foundation stole the show at the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at the Uyo Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State.
According to her, it was quite warming that the Foundation’s products carted home gold medals at the Sports fiesta that brought together thousands of young athletes from across the nine Niger Delta states who competed in a wide-range of sporting activities.
Edem said that having retired from the international stage, she has taken up appointment as a Table Tennis Coach in the United States of America (USA) with a pledge to continue assisting up coming talents in the game back home.
Edem, who is also a sixth-time African champion, explained that the reason for the Foundation and mini tournament is borne out a decision to return home and give back to the society and other less privileged kids the opportunity to learn and play Table Tennis.
On the Foundation’s future plans, she said contacts have already been established at the national level for the competition to assume nationwide status.
The former National Champion said the tournament aimed at fostering national unity and discovering the next generation of Nigerian and global champions in table tennis.
Holding at the Table Tennis Hall of the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, the competition, slated to end on Saturday, 19th April 2025, is open for Under 13, Under 15 and youth categories.
Besides the host Cross River, the participating states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa , Delta, Rivers and a Table Tennis Academy from Akwa Ibom’, Ultra King Club, Uyo.
