Sports

“Ibrahim Pledges to Boost Table Tennis in North-Central if Elected”

Published

3 weeks ago

September 17, 2025

A lawyer and civil servant, Barrister Hamidu Ali Ibrahim, has declared his intention to contest for a seat on the board of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), promising to focus on grassroots development of the sport, particularly in the North-Central region.

Speaking with our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday, Ibrahim, who previously served twice as chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Table Tennis Association, said his ambition is driven by his passion for the game and his track record of leadership.

“At least as a member of the board of the National Table Tennis Federation, I should be able to develop table tennis in North-Central Nigeria in particular,” he stated.

The aspirant stressed the need to harness talents at the grassroots through regular local competitions, which he said would help discover and nurture players who could compete at the national and international levels.

“Table tennis is one sport Nigerians are naturally good at. Unfortunately, most of the players we see at the national stage are from the Southwest. My plan is to go to the grassroots, organize local competitions, and bring out talents from other parts of the country, especially the North-Central,” he said.

On the performance of the outgoing NTTF board, Ibrahim acknowledged their contributions but noted that there is room for improvement. “They have done well, but as human beings, there are always areas that can be improved upon. We will build on their achievements to move the sport forward,” he added.

Ibrahim also pointed to his achievements as FCT chairman, including the recently concluded North-Central competition, as proof of his commitment. “Anything I say, I do. I don’t make promises I cannot keep. By God’s grace, we will deliver,” he assured.

Looking ahead, he emphasized the need to groom players who can step into the shoes of Africa’s top-ranked table tennis star, Aruna Quadri. “We must encourage those already at the international level and prepare future stars to take over. Nigerians should see table tennis as a unifying sport, just like football,” he said.

On Nigeria’s chances of winning medals in future global tournaments, Ibrahim expressed optimism. “Why not? With the talents we have and the right leadership on the board, we can aim for Olympic medals,” he declared.

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Sports

Nigeria Jets Out Tuesday for 2025 Hockey AFCON as Federation President Engr Nkom Backs Teams for Podium Finish

Published

3 hours ago

October 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With the 2025 Hockey African Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Egypt from October 11 to 18, both the men’s and women’s national hockey teams are set to depart Nigeria on October 7, brimming with confidence and determination to make the nation proud.

The President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Engineer Simon Nkom, speaking after a series of friendly matches at the Hockey Pitch, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, said the teams’ early preparation and intensive training camps have positioned them for a successful outing in Egypt.

“In sports—whether it’s hockey, handball, or basketball—fitness is key. That’s why we began camping weeks ago to build the players’ strength and resilience ahead of this major competition. This is the African Cup of Nations—the highest level of hockey on the continent. We’ve prepared well, and I’m confident our teams will finish on the podium,” he stated.

Nkom highlighted the significant progress Nigerian hockey has recorded in recent years, noting that the country’s world ranking improved from 56th to 36th, while in Hockey 5s, Nigeria now stands 12th globally.

“A few years ago, people barely knew hockey existed in Nigeria. Today, our women’s team ranks 3rd in Africa, and the men’s team is 4th. This growth is a product of deliberate grassroots development and consistent effort,” he added.

To ensure smooth participation and avoid past challenges of late arrivals at tournaments, the federation has finalized logistics for early departure.

“We’ve made all arrangements for the teams to leave early to acclimatize and play friendly matches before the competition begins. The players are motivated, relaxed, and ready to give their best. By God’s grace, they will return home with their heads held high,” Nkom assured.

The HFN President also lauded the federation’s board members for their commitment and teamwork over the past four years, which he said has greatly contributed to the sport’s steady rise in Nigeria.

Head coach Ndana Baba Abdullahi, who oversees both the men’s and women’s teams, praised the federation’s support and lauded the players’ work ethic throughout the extended training camp.

“We’ve worked very hard — morning and evening sessions, tactical drills, conditioning. The players have responded excellently. We started with 35 players and are now down to the final 18 who will make the trip,” Abdullahi said, adding that the early arrival in Egypt would give Nigeria a crucial psychological and tactical edge.

Men’s team captain, Michael John, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness and determination to make history in Egypt.

“We’re perfectly fine — we’ve trained hard and prepared well,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the whistle to blow. By God’s grace, we won’t disappoint our country or those who worked hard to send us there.”

Similarly, women’s team captain, Alfa Cornelius, echoed optimism about the team’s prospects.

“We’ve been camping for over a month, and the coaches have done a wonderful job. We’ve worked hard to match our opponents in both strength and skill. I’m 100% confident that we’ll perform excellently in Egypt,” she said.

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