South South Zonal Representative in the board of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade has donated table tennis boards to the Rivers State ministry of sports and the Port Harcourt club 1928.
The presentation of the boards which was done at the Port Harcourt club 1928 was witnessed by the Rivers State commissioner for Sports Bar Christopher Green, Director of Sports and President Port Harcourt Mr. Igwe Achese.
Receiving the boards Rivers State commissioner for Sports, Bar Christopher Green, commended Mr. Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade for the donations describing him as a worthy representative.
He noted that the gesture has given table tennis a new direction in the region, stating that both Bayelsa and Rivers States would continue to collaborate for the development of sports.
Earlier in a remark of the President Port Harcourt club 1928 Mr Igwe Achese, noted that the gesture by the Bayelsa State table chairman has further demonstrated the unending relationship between both, pointing out that the club was pleased with his benevolence.
Mr. Achese asserted that the club would utilize the board maximally for the betterment and the progress of table tennis in Rivers State, stressing that he was optimistic that the boards donated by Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade would produce future table tennis stars.
The Port Harcourt club 1928 president, equally announced Mr Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade as a member of the club following the show of love displayed by the NTTF South South zonal representative describing it as commendable.
In a remark South South representative in the board of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade, highlighted the importance of table tennis to society, pointing out that table tennis has lifted the lives of many Nigerians and that beyond it’s recognition as sports it also has health benefits that are truly remarkable to society.
Mr. Ebikpolade who doubles as chairman of Bayelsa State Table Tennis dismissed reports in some quarters that he was in Port Harcourt to campaign for his re-election which comes up in 2025, noting that he is committed to giving Bayelsa and region the desired representation.
He expressed the need for both states to invest in their home grown talents rather than bringing players outside the State that are concerned to participate in competitions, saying that investing in the under 13 would enable them to dominate table tennis in the future.
According to him the only way the lads can have something to fall back on after sports was to combine education with sports, that table tennis association in the last few years has sent it’s players to Benson Idahosa University ,Edo State for studies in other for them to better their life after sports, stating that time where athletes focus on medals alone are over.
He explained that Bayelsa State table tennis Association have sent coaches to refresher courses within and outside the country in order to be familiar with modern coaching techniques, expressing the need to develop the umpires.
Mr Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade, appreciated the Port Harcourt club 1928 for conferring him as a member club, adding that he would work hand in glove with the prestigious club for the development of table tennis in the South South.
