NTTF Lacks Fund To Support National Teams

Cup Donor, Hon Felicia Tanen (left) presenting the winners trophy to DCAT FC captain at the end of the 2014 Botem Football tournament in Tai LGA, Rivers State. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

Secretary-General of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federtion (NTTF), Chinedu Ezeala-Ogundare yesterday in Abuja said that  the federation had no funds to support its teams to attend major competitions.
Ezeala-Ogundare told newsmen that adequate funds were essential to taking part in various competitions.
“This is necessary if the country hopes to improve its rating in the world of table tennis,” he said.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior Championships has been scheduled to hold in Cairo, Egypt from January 23 to January 29.
But, as at yesterday  the Nigerian team was not sure of its participation.
The NTTF secretary-general said the federation had no funds to attend the competition.
He however said the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) had given the NTTF up till January 15 to present teams for the event.
“We are running behind schedule as the competition is billed to commence in less than two weeks from now,” Ezeala-Ogundare said.
He appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC) to come to the federation’s aid.
The federation secretary-general said it was important Nigeria attended the competition as it would serve as qualifiers for this year’s World Championships scheduled for April in China.
“The tournament will serve as a prerequisite for any team to be part of the 2015 World Championships in China.