The U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar, will come alive on August 13 when budding talents from the South-South and South-East gather for the sixth Offiong Edem Table Tennis Championship.

Plans for the championship were announced yesterday by the Offiong Edem Foundation, which said that the yearly grassroots table tennis competition will hold at the Table Tennis Hall of the stadium in Calabar, Cross River State.

The foundation said that the championship is expected to attract some of the most promising young players from the regions as it intensifies efforts to discover and develop the country’s next generation of table tennis stars.

Founded by the Nigerian Olympian, Offiong Edem, the Foundation has continued to promote youth development through sports by providing talented youngsters with opportunities to compete, improve their skills and pursue careers in table tennis.

The 2026 edition will feature U-13 Boys and Girls, U-15 Boys and Girls, and a Mixed Open event, with participants expected to compete for honours while gaining valuable competitive experience.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Edem said: “The Foundation was created to give talented children hope and opportunities. Every child deserves a chance to dream, compete and succeed regardless of their background. We believe sports can transform lives and build better communities.”

She noted that beyond the competition, the championship seeks to instill discipline, sportsmanship and friendship among participants while contributing to the continued growth of grassroots table tennis in Nigeria.

According to Edem, the tournament has grown steadily, with this year’s edition expected to deliver greater rewards and impact for participants.

“This year, we are raising the bar. We are looking at a prize pool of N3 million for winners and runners-up across categories. There will also be equipment like rackets, rubbers, and training kits, as well as trophies and medals,” she revealed.

Beyond prizes, the former African champion emphasised the long-term vision of the initiative, which includes educational support for standout players.

“It’s not just about winning medals. We want to support their future too, possibly through scholarships and continued development both in sports and academics,” she added.

Edem, who is currently based in the United States where she coaches at the Lonestar Table Tennis Academy in Austin, Texas, said the exposure she is gaining abroad is being channeled back into developing grassroots table tennis in Nigeria.