NIGERIA, CALABAR – The Calabar Table Tennis Challenge 2025 ended with blistering forehands, tight rallies and youthful flair, but it also reopened ethical questions about funding, athlete welfare and succession planning in Cross River sports.
Held at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, the tournament drew cadets, veterans and elite prospects from within and outside the state, offering competitive match play and a ₦1 million winner’s incentive.
Beyond the scoreboard, the event became a platform for policy reflection, as former Cross River Sports Commission chairman and NDDC board representative Orok Otu Duke addressed journalists after the finals.
Duke said weak institutional incentives discourage sustained participation, noting that many athletes abandon associations when membership offers no welfare, exposure or financial backing.
“Once associations have to raise ₦500,000 to attend competitions, enthusiasm drops,” Duke said, explaining that athletes often self-fund travel, kits and accommodation.
Drawing from decades of experience, Duke said Cross River’s sports system relies too heavily on personal sacrifice rather than structured, ethical investment in youth development.
He recalled a state law requiring one percent of contract sums to fund sports, but said inconsistent releases undermined planning and collapsed major events like the state sports festival.
According to Duke, a ₦13.6 billion allocation once approved for sports was released late, forcing contractors to withdraw and derailing preparations entirely.
As a result, he said private individuals now shoulder development responsibilities, using table tennis as proof that focused investment can still deliver medals and continental respect.
Duke described table tennis as Nigeria’s most decorated sport globally, recalling decades when Cross River athletes dominated national finals and African competitions.
However, he warned that an era is closing, with celebrated players Offiong Edem and Cecilia Otu Offiong retiring from active competition.
He identified Hope and Vivian as the next generation, revealing he personally trained Vivian and paid her university fees throughout her six-year programme at the University of Calabar.
“When we spend our money to train athletes, the least government can do is employ them,” Duke said, arguing that employment security is central to ethical sports development.
He criticized rigid civil service rules that exclude sports representation, saying such policies discourage early talent grooming and parental support.
Duke urged lawmakers and political office holders to adopt athletes, describing it as a low-cost intervention capable of transforming youth confidence and performance.
“If you expose them more, they improve faster,” he said, linking exposure to tactical maturity, match temperament and international competitiveness.
He blamed age restrictions at the National Sports Festival for stalling athlete progression, saying many peak performers become ineligible just as they reach competitive prime.
The former administrator also lamented Cross River’s absence from zonal and national sports leadership, noting the state lacks chairmanship positions across 38 federations.
That exclusion, he said, weakens policy influence and frustrates athletes who compete without administrative representation.
Reflecting on past dominance, Duke recalled how Cross River players often met each other in finals, drawing crowd boos as the state monopolised medals for over two decades.
He said rebuilding depth is now urgent, citing recent continental outings where Nigeria finished second at championships in Libya and Tunisia.
According to Truthlivenews correspondent in Calabar, Duke confirmed plans for a modern table tennis hall with 12 tables and automated training machines to improve speed and technique.
He also disclosed plans to send four players, two boys and two girls, to China for one to two months of elite training, pending cost assessments. Preparations for the Niger Delta Games, scheduled for February, have commenced following recent board approvals, Duke added.
Despite administrative concerns, competition at the Calabar Table Tennis Challenge produced clear winners across categories. In the Cadet Boys event, Ezeofor C. of Anambra claimed gold, while Emma Bassey of Cross River settled for silver after a spirited final.
Cross River’s Victor Duke and Jesy Ebe shared the bronze medals following closely contested semi-final matches.
The Cadet Girls category saw Julius Amarachi of Anambra take gold, with Enare Obasi of Cross River finishing second.
Bronze medals went to Goodness Attah of Premium and Ekip Obasi of Cross River, reflecting strong grassroots depth.
In the Veterans category, James Naku of Cross River secured gold, while Oyo Ita earned silver. Anselem John and Ofon Etim, both representing Cross River, shared the bronze positions.
Addressing youths directly, Duke said willingness to participate is high, but lack of sponsorship, equipment and transport continues to drive frustration. “You cannot train with passion alone,” he said, stressing the need for shoes, kits and logistics to sustain discipline and confidence.
Despite the challenges, Duke expressed optimism that structured investment, ethical governance and youth-focused planning can restore Cross River’s sporting pedigree. “We are taking it higher,” he said, as the final applause faded and young players packed their kits, still chasing dreams beyond the table.