Offiong Edema,
By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Offiong Edem Foundation, Offiong Edema, has promised to host a mini-table tennis tournament for children between the ages of 7–15 at the U.J Esuene Stadium on the 3rd to 7th June 2023.
Ms. Edema, who stated this in an interview with newsmen, said participants for the tournament would be be drawn from Abia, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers and Cross River State.
“I do not want Table Tennis to die with me, in Cross River State, that is why I decided to use this opportunity to host a Mini-Table Tennis Tournament in order to groom Young Star”
“I am also inviting other neighbouring States to participate in this year event and is open to all children between 7-15 years, this will be great opportunity for the kids to showcase their Table Tennis Skills”, said the Cross River-born international Table Tennis champion,
Offiong Edem who qualified for the finals of the European Table Tennis Cup is currently playing in Qratro Mori Tennis Tavolo in Sardinia, Italy
While speaking on the state of her preparedness for the finals, Ms. Edema said she would be pair with Romanian top ranked players, Tania Plaina and Adreea Dragoman during the finals.
“We will be playing against the Hungarian team. They belong to Budaorsi Hungary.
“We defeated them 3-2 in the first leg home matches: that was on the 2nd of April 2023.
Before berthing in the finals, Edem’s team had defeated the Italian team in quarter finals 3-1. They had also defeated the French team in the semifinals 3-1.
Edem disclosed that after the continental table tennis championship, she will return to Nigeria to organize Tournaments for different categories of Cross River young table tennis stars.
“It is true that I am planning to come home to organize the annual Offiong Edem Table Tennis tournaments.
“Prizes, Tennis equipment and empowerments would be given out to the young budding stars.
“The tournaments will aim at discovering new talents and encourage older ones.”
