Sports
C’River To Flag Off Table Tennis Tourney
The Cross River Government with support from a private consortium will on February 8, flag off a three-day table tennis championships to discover new talents to support sports development in the state.
Chairman, Cross River Sports Commission, Orok Duke, who made the disclosure yesterday said the competition for Primary and Secondary Schools, would hold at the Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar.
He said the championships to be held in boys’ and girls’ categories is sponsored by Royal International Farms and Estates Ltd., First Royal Microfinance Bank and Triple Star Printing Press.
According to Duke, a prize money of N200,000 will be on offer in the singles and doubles categories of the championships.
He also lauded the sponsors for blazing the trail, adding that their gesture would no doubt encourage other members of the organised private sector to support sports development.
Duke said the sponsors were part of the five companies to sponsor two of the 43 sports run by the commission to continue to make Cross River one of the leading states in sports in Nigeria.
He thanked the Akwa Ibom Government for supporting Cross River Taekwondo Association with mats and other equipment with which it hosted the just-concluded Taekwondo Championships sponsored by the three companies.
Also, the General Manager of the consortium, Usen Umoh, said the championships would discover future stars to succeed Aruna Quadri, Offiong Edem, Cecilia Akpan and Funke Oshonaike in the sport.
He said the sponsors would in their own way give back to the society “through supporting sustainable sports development in Cross River’’.
“The making of success tomorrow is predicated on giving the children the right kind of education today. It’s a process by which knowledge is imparted, faculties trained and skills developed.
“Sports and physical education are collectively considered integral part of quality education. They are the basic foundation for building physical and mental well-being.
“Our desire is to discover new talents, popularise the game across primary and secondary schools. We are excited to partner with Cross River Sports Commission in this championships,’’ he said.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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