Offiong Edem, a prominent Nigerian table tennis player and five-time Olympian, has advocated for the establishment of a competitive table tennis league in Nigeria. In a recent interview, during the ‘Offiong Edem Table Tennis Competition’ held at Canaan City Table Tennis Hall, UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Edem emphasized the importance of such a league in enhancing the skills of Nigerian players and preparing them for international tournaments.
According to Edem, who is ranked number one in Nigerian female table tennis and 113th globally, the absence of a functional league makes it challenging for Nigerian players to compete effectively on the global stage. She highlighted the success of clubs like Petrojet in Egypt, which participate in organized leagues, as a model Nigeria should emulate. Edem stressed that regular competitive play within a national league would keep players in top form and eliminate the need for them to seek competitive opportunities abroad.
Looking ahead to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where she will represent Nigeria once again, Edem expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects. She acknowledged the stiff competition among Nigerian players vying for Olympic qualification and revealed plans for a two-week training tour in Germany to prepare the team for the challenges ahead.
Edem, a 38-year-old right-hander and winner of six African Games gold medals, began her Olympic journey in Athens in 2004 and has since participated in subsequent Games, including London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020. She believes that Nigeria’s participation in the Paris Olympics will yield improved results, underscoring the importance of adequate preparation and competitive readiness through initiatives like a national table tennis league.
