Omoniyi Adedotun, Assistant National Table-Tennis Coach, says the Daniel Ford Coaching Clinic will significantly strengthen young players’ technical skills and mental toughness ahead of major competitions.
Adedotun spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday at the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation Training Centre, National Stadium, Lagos, during the third edition of the clinic.
He said the clinic equips grassroots players with modern techniques before the main Daniel Ford Elite Invitational Tournament begins on Friday, Dec. 19.
“The aim is to give young players a solid foundation and deeper technical and tactical understanding of the game,” Adedotun told NAN.
He said sessions focus on service return, footwork, match strategy and mental preparation needed to perform confidently under competitive pressure.
“Mental preparation is crucial. Players must overcome fear of loss, build resilience and think strategically during matches,” he said.
Adedotun added that the clinic consistently identifies and nurtures talents capable of succeeding at national and international levels.
“We expect participants to benchmark against peers, gain exposure and mentally prepare for championship competition,” he said.
He noted that previous participants, including Favor, Bassit and Mathew Kuti, returned this year with clear improvements.
“The clinic builds confidence, sharpens championship mindset and prepares players for international standards,” Adedotun said.
He disclosed that 80 players are participating, across Under-12 and Under-15 categories, with balanced male and female representation.
A participant, Abdufatai Abdulbasit, described the clinic as a rare opportunity to learn from experienced coaches and correct long-standing mistakes.
“What I learn here will improve my performance and motivate other young players to take training seriously,” Abdulbasit said.
Another participant, Azizat Sesan, from Kogi, said the clinic would boost her confidence ahead of the tournament.
“I want more skills, ideas and experience. This training will help me perform better in the competition,” she said.
The two-day clinic, which began on Wednesday, aims to combine technical excellence with mental confidence to strengthen Nigeria’s table tennis future.
