The Offiong Edem Table Tennis Foundation has officially announced that the sixth edition of its annual grassroots championship will take place from August 13 to 15, 2026, at the U.J. Esuene Stadium Table Tennis Hall in Calabar, Cross River State.
The tournament, which has become one of Nigeria’s leading platforms for discovering emerging table tennis talents, will bring together some of the finest young players from the South-South and South-East regions to compete for honours and showcase their abilities.
Sports247 reports that the championship forms part of the foundation’s long-term commitment to identifying, nurturing, and developing future stars capable of representing Nigeria at continental and international competitions.
Founded by Nigerian table tennis legend and multiple-time Olympian Offiong Edem, the initiative has continued to make a significant impact on grassroots sports development by providing aspiring athletes with opportunities to compete at a high level while encouraging discipline, education, and personal growth through sport.
Over the years, the annual tournament has served as a launching pad for several promising young players, reinforcing the foundation’s vision of strengthening Nigeria’s talent pipeline and sustaining the country’s rich tradition in table tennis.
Beyond the competition itself, the programme reflects Offiong Edem’s dedication to giving back to the sport that shaped her career. Through the foundation, she has remained committed to empowering young people, particularly within underserved communities, by using table tennis as a tool for inspiration, mentorship, and social development.
With another exciting edition on the horizon, expectations are high that the 2026 championship will once again produce exceptional talents capable of following in the footsteps of Nigeria’s table tennis greats.
As preparations gather pace, players, coaches, and enthusiasts across the South-South and South-East regions will be looking forward to three days of thrilling competition in Calabar, where the next generation of Nigerian table tennis stars will have another opportunity to shine.
