NTTF prioritises capacity building for female stars, says president

President, Nigeria Table-tennis Federation (NTTF), Ishaku Tikon, yesterday said that they would shift attention to capacity building of promising female table-tennis players.

Tikon spoke at the ongoing Summer Sporting programme tagged ‘Awaken the Giant, She Can 3.0,’ a free, three-week summer table-tennis and mentorship clinic for girls, aged five and up.

The programme, holding at the Knock-up Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, in partnership with Nigeria Table-tennis Federation, as well as Additional Plus Sports and Education (APSE), has over 50 girls in attendance.

Tikon said that the federation was ready to identify with private initiatives aimed at the development of the game. “We are delighted to embrace and sustain this initiative. For us, it is time to focus more on developmental programs for the girl child and the women by supporting the State Sports Commissions across the 36 States.”

“Area of focus will be more on initiating and supporting age grades programs to empower more girls through table-tennis without leaving out the national players and professionals. More attention will also be given to capacity building of promising female table-tennis players to national and international training, camps, tours and competitions,” he said.

Tikon stated that the ITTF, as part of a long plan policy had set up plans towards ensuring that its athletes were well prepared for retirement. “We will also ensure that we prepare athletes for retirement, build capacity in the area of coaching and officiating. We will also ensure that we give more women opportunity to officiate at national and international competitions. We are glad we are able to engage young girls at this period and we hope to replicate this in other States of the federation,” he said.