… Charges Bayelsa Table Tennis Association to produce Olympic Stars
By our Reporter
The Commissioner of Sports Development, Bayelsa State, Daniel Igali has called on sports associations in the state to produce Olympic stars as he notes that effective and efficient associations are critical to developing the industry.
Daniel Igali stated this when the Bayelsa Table Tennis Association led by its chairman, Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade, paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Tuesday, after his re-appointment as commissioner by Governor Douye Diri.
Daniel Igali in his remarks appreciated the Table Tennis Association for the show of solidarity while commending Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade for his passion for the sport.
Igali who used the medium to frown at the numbers of current Bayelsa athletes representing Nigeria at the Paris Olympics, called on all the state’s sports associations to start the development of talents ahead of Olympics in 2028.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Sports, I want to sincerely thank you for this visit and also to acknowledge your good wishes.
“For Sports to make an impact and be what it is to this administration we need very viable sports associations in Bayelsa and the Table Tennis Association has been one that’s very exemplary.
“Now, there is still a charge to you. We’re going to the Olympics this year and from all I’ve seen so far Bayelsa has only two athletes that have qualified to go to the Olympics and in my humble opinion Bayelsa is way much better than that. We should be looking at over 10 athletes coming from the state. So every association should endeavour to produce Olympians in 2028”.
Earlier, the chairman Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association, Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade appreciated Governor Douye Diri for the reappointment of Daniel Igali whom he believes did well in the first term.
He noted that the Daniel Igali’s return will enhance the growth of sports in Bayelsa State.
Ama-Ebi stressed the Table Tennis Association plays a vital role in supporting the education of young table tennis players in the state.
Adding that the association has brought a lot of youths out from the streets and had given them a positive platform which combines education and sports by securing admissions for them in private varsities across the country.
The highpoint was the presentation of team jersey and the association’s constitution to the commissioner.
