Sports
Commission Boss Decries Table Tennis Players’ Non-Recognition
Chairman, Cross Rivers State Sports Commission, Orok Otu-Duke, has decried the non-recognition of the table tennis players who represented the country at the just concluded ITTF-Africa Cup in Agadir, Morocco.
Otu-Duke, the re-elected Chairman of South-South in the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, told newsmen that in spite of lack of support, the athletes proved their mettle at the championships.
The competition which had the likes of Aruna Quadri, Funke Oshonaike, Edem Offiong, Dina Meshref and Omar Assar of Egypt in attendance held from July 1 to July 3.
Otu-Duke said that though the ministry of Youths and Sports was notified about the competition, no support was given to the athletes who did their best at the competition.
“I paid for the trip with the support of my governor, Ben Ayade, who is a lover of sports.
“It is so sad that there was no Federal Government support in spite of the fact that the athletes represented Nigeria.
“Even if the names of the athletes will be called first, there is no way the country wont be mentioned which is a plus,” he said.
Otu-Duke is also the chairman, Canaan Table Tennis Club of Cross Rivers.
Tidesports source gathered that Quadri qualified to represent Africa alongside Egypt’s Meshref at the forthcoming ITTF Men and Women World Cups respectively at the competition.
Oshonaike lost to Meshref in the final, while Canaan Table Tennis Club of Cross Rivers won a silver in the club’s category.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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