President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Ishaku Tikon, has announced that the inaugural North Central Zone U-17 Boys and Girls Table Tennis Championship, which commenced yesterday in Abuja, aims to close the competitive gap between northern and southern regions of Nigeria in the sport.
Speaking at a media briefing heralding the championship, which is sponsored by Hamidu Ali Ibrahim, Tikon highlighted the significance of the event in unearthing hidden table tennis talent within the North Central zone. “It is fantastic that we acknowledge the advancements made by the western and southern states in table tennis. The gap between these states and the North is substantial. Therefore, organising a championship of this nature, such as the North Central Zonal Championship, brings together untapped talent and fosters the development of table tennis,” he stated.
He encouraged all regional bodies to engage in grassroots development by hosting similar tournaments independently rather than awaiting government funding.
Tikon also praised the open format of the championship, where seasoned players will compete alongside junior competitors, describing it as an essential means to enhance youth development in the sport. “Originally, the focus was solely on under-17 participants. However, upon further discussion, the sponsor opted for an open format to challenge the younger players stepping into the limelight. This is precisely what we need in our sport,” he explained.
Furthermore, Tikon emphasised that talents identified during this championship will be integrated into the federation’s development programmes. “For instance, in the ongoing championship at JNAS, we are beginning with the western region, featuring emerging talents like Mighty Taiyo. These young players, recently discovered, have been successfully incorporated into the mainstream, preparing them to take over from established players such as the ageing Aruna Quadri. In Lagos alone, over 20 young talents are poised to step up,” he added.
The event’s sponsor, Ali Ibrahim, expressed his satisfaction with the representation of all schools in the zone. He announced that the winner of the championship will receive a trophy and 200,000 Naira, while the runner-up will be awarded 100,000 Naira.
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