Iyaye Explains Rivers State's Decision to Host National Top 16 Table Tennis Championship

Posted : 13 November 2026

President of the Fifika Chiri Foundation, Alabo Boma Iyaye, has explained the motivation behind bringing Nigeria's National Top 16 Table Tennis Championship to Ogu, Ogu/Bolo Local Council of Rivers State.

The four-day competition is scheduled to hold from December 11 to 14, 2026, and will feature Nigeria's 16 best male and female table tennis players. The initiative is aimed at strengthening grassroots sports development, discovering emerging talents and expanding the popularity of table tennis in the South-South region.

The championship is sponsored by the Fifika Chiri Foundation, which has been instrumental in promoting the sport through community-level competitions in Rivers State.

Speaking during an inspection of facilities in Ogu, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) President, Dr Adesoji Tayo, praised Iyaye for his commitment to the sport and his efforts to bring a major national competition to the community.

Tayo described the decision as an important opportunity to expand table tennis beyond its traditional stronghold in the South-West. He believes hosting the championship in Rivers State could help establish the South-South as another important centre for the sport.

Iyaye traced his interest in table tennis to his childhood in Port Harcourt, where the sport was a popular recreational activity. He explained that his desire to revive the game in Ogu inspired him to establish a community Christmas table tennis competition.

The local tournament gradually grew, attracting players from different parts of Rivers State and providing a platform for emerging players to showcase their abilities.

According to Iyaye, the growing participation and success of the annual competition encouraged him to seek a national-level tournament for the community. He described the NTTF's decision to award Ogu the hosting rights as a significant achievement for Rivers State.

He also identified several facilities that make Ogu suitable for the competition. These include available hotels, a good road network, a memorial hall suitable for indoor sporting activities and reliable electricity supplied through the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company and solar power systems.

Iyaye expressed his intention to make Ogu a regular destination for national table tennis competitions, promising continued support from the Fifika Chiri Foundation.

The South-South representative on the NTTF board, Ama-ebi Ebikpolade, also welcomed the decision, describing it as a major breakthrough for the region.

He noted that despite Rivers State's reputation as a sporting destination, the South-South had not hosted a major NTTF competition of such magnitude in a long time.

Ebikpolade commended Iyaye for providing the support needed to bring the championship to Ogu. He expressed optimism that the competition could become an annual event.

The December championship is expected to bring Nigeria's leading male and female table tennis players to Rivers State while creating greater exposure for the sport in the region.

The initiative also offers an opportunity to strengthen grassroots participation and encourage young players to pursue competitive table tennis.

Iyaye Explains Rivers State's Decision to Host National Top 16 Table Tennis Championship

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics