Table Tennis players in Ekiti have decried their lack of access to adequate training kits and medical facilities.
Head Coach of Ekiti State Table Tennis Association (ESTTA),  Olubode Ajayi, told newsmen that these deficiencies had negatively impacted on their performances over time.
“As young players, they need stipends to keep body and soul together, socialize and use it to attend to some personal needs.
“The state government should also provide adequate training kits as well as medicals for the players for them to be in top shape ahead of any competitions,’’ Ajayi said.
He said that if the government should provide these for the up-and-coming players, it would boost the development of the sport in the state and motivate the players.
“Most of them are students and they cannot afford what it will take to really cater for their personal needs because they are yet to start earning salaries.’’
Ajayi also said that the state government should make the regular payment of the players’ allowances, provision of training kits, sponsorships and periodic health checks as incentives for better performance.
He said that the state should also create an enabling environment for the sustenance of the players’ interests in the sport
Ajayi said that the players should also be exposed to local international competitions as a way of grooming them into stardom.
According to him, regular training is ideal but the players are expected to compete against other players through local and international competitions to evaluate their skills and prepare them for higher championships.
He lauded the state players for doing well in major national championships.
Ajayi recalled that Tosin Oribamise, the No. 1 Africa ranked junior player, Abayomi Animashaun who was the 2015 U-13 ITTF gold medalist and Bello Muyibat, the 2015 Egypt Open silver medalist were from Ekiti.
The coach said that the future was bright for the state up-and-coming players.