Canaan Table Tennis Club Chairman Supports Cross River Table Tennis Team With Items Worth Over N3 Million Ahead of Niger Delta Games

By Missang AKPET

With the Niger Delta Games merely days away, the chairman of Canaan Table Tennis Club, Rt Hon Orok Duke has presented equipment valued at approximately N3.7 million, as well as cash donation, to the Cross River State table-tennis contingent on Monday. 

The package, designed to support the six players representing the state, includes bats, customized rubbers pads for the bats, specialized gear, a metallic storage cabinet, N50,000 for each athlete, N70,000 per coach, bags of rice, and toiletries. 

According to Duke, who spoke during the presentation at the UJ Esuene Stadium, the intervention was crucial, as the players required motivation. 

"With only a week to go, the players still lacked kits, and in table tennis, it's essential to familiarize oneself with the equipment before the game," Duke explained. 

"I have been providing support for years, and I will continue to do my best. This has yielded significant results, as Cross River State boasts some of the best players in the country." 

Duke, a long-standing chairman of the Canaan Table Tennis Club, used the opportunity to appeal to affluent individuals, corporate organizations, and philanthropies to support the sports industry by adopting a sport or sponsoring athletes. 

Receiving the donation, the Director of Sports in the Cross River State Sports Commission, Mrs. Rosemary Usang, referred to Duke as a "legend who has created legends." 

"We are extremely grateful for this gesture. You have done so much for sports in the state, especially table tennis. For the Niger Delta Games, you have provided us with food, equipment, and financial support; what more can we ask for than to reciprocate by bringing home laurels?" she stated. 

Team Cross River is set to depart for Edo State on Thursday to join other contingents for the Niger Delta Games which will kick off on the 20th of February 2026.