The third edition of the Daniel Ford Elite Invitational Table Tennis Tournament begins on Wednesday with a two-day coaching clinic for participants.
The event will hold at the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation Training Centre, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The clinic, a key initiative of the sponsors, will equip players with essential techniques ahead of the main competition starting Friday, Dec. 19.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament proper will take place at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Top national coaches, under the guidance of Dotun Omoniyi, will drill players, refresh their skills and prepare them for peak performance.
The sponsor, Yemi Edun, on Tuesday described the clinic as a vital component of the tournament.
“A tournament should not only be about competition. It should also serve as an avenue to sharpen skills.
“Players improve by facing strong competitors, but also through the input of coaches, mentors and experts before stepping onto the stage.
“That way, every player brings their very best, and the overall impact of this tournament has been overwhelmingly positive,” Edun said.
This year’s edition introduces an Under-12 category, a move Edun believes will strengthen Nigeria’s table tennis talent pipeline.
“It is within our abilities to use this tournament to create elite-tier players, because sports mastery must begin early.
“Statistically, we should have more talent to discover, nurture and showcase,” Edun said.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria could become Africa’s leading table tennis nation within the next seven years.
With its blend of competition and skill development, the tournament continues to nurture Nigeria’s next generation of table tennis champions
