Sports
NTTF To Support Physically Challenged Table Tennis Player
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has promised to assist, Chukwudalu Okwuchi, a physically-challenged person.
Okwuchi played table-tennis with his legs at the 18th National Sports Festival which ended in Lagos yesterday.
He writes, eats and plays with his legs with whatever he wanted to use, including table tennis bats bandaged in between his right leg’s big toe, the thumb and the next toe.
Segun Oguntade, the Secretary of the federation, made this known in an interview with Tidesport during one of Okwuchi’s display at the Knock-Up Hall, National Stadium, Lagos.
Okwuchi assisted himself by dropping the ball on the tennis table with his mouth and later played with his leg.
The physically challenged athlete, who expertly opened a bottle of mineral, with his thumb also wrote on a sheet of paper: “I want to be a champion,” with a biro tied in between the two toes.
Oguntade admitted that Okwuchi from Abia, exhibited exceptional ability playing the game with his legs in spite of his disability.
“It is amazing that a disabled athlete whose hands and legs are deformed can serve ball and play table tennis, that is good and we will encourage him,’’ he said.
He said that the skills exhibited by Okwuchi at the finals of table tennis event at the festival thrilled the spectators.
NTTF National Coach, Nasiru Bello, said that Okwuchi, a JSS 1 student would be grouped according to his level of disability.
“We are aware of his disability, skills and the enthusiasm of him making head way. Based on these, we will begin his training from the primary stage for him to develop accordingly.
“Although, we have other disabled athletes that play the game, this boy’s case is unique which shows that there is hope for him,’’ Bello said.
Nasiru said that NTTF would organise a training programme for him to enable him feature in Calabar 2014 and other national and international competitions.
Okwuchi told Tidesports that he had passion for the game of table tennis and would not allow his disability to deter him from becoming a national champion and a professional player.
He said he did not want to be a liability to his family and society but want to contribute his quota to the development of the game in the country.
“I believe I have the talent to become a national champion and a professional player that can represent Nigeria in international competition. All I need is encouragement.
“I don’t want undue sympathy or people giving me alms because I don’t want to depend on people to survive, I believe in my talent,’’ he said.
Okwuchi’s Coach, Ifeoma Isaac, who narrated how he discovered him, told Tidesports that she saw him one day on the road and approached him if he could develop interest in the sport.
“I later invited him for training. I could not believe my eyes the level of dexterity in him. Subsequently, he improves and catches up easily,’’ Isaac said.
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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