Canaan Table Tennis Club Powers Cross River’s Dominance at Niger Delta Youth Sports Festival
By Missang AKPET
Cross River State has once again asserted its supremacy in table tennis, emerging joint overall champions in the event at the ongoing Niger Delta Youth Sports Festival in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
In a thrilling showcase of talent and grit, Cross River and Bayelsa states each clinched two gold medals, finishing as joint table tennis champions of the regional competition.
Team Cross River claimed gold in the Women’s Doubles, with Bayelsa taking silver and Delta securing bronze. In the Women’s Singles, Cross River’s dominance continued with another gold, while Abia picked up silver and Ondo claimed bronze.
Bayelsa State, however, struck back in the Men’s category, winning both the Men’s Doubles and Men’s Singles. Cross River settled for silver in the doubles event.
Much of Cross River’s sustained excellence in table tennis has been credited to the Canaan Table Tennis Club, whose athletes have consistently delivered medal-winning performances for the state across national and regional tournaments.
The club continues to serve as a key talent hub, grooming young players and reinforcing Cross River’s position as a stronghold of table tennis excellence in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Canaan Table Tennis club Rt. Hon. Orok Duke congratulated tthe Canaan Table Tennis Team's unprecedented achievement and for bringing glory to the state.
He revealed that coincidentally, the Niger Delta Youths Sports Festival coincided with the club's 35th anniversary stating that the team has concergatively kept the flag high for 35 years.
"This golden generation of Canaan players have written their names in history," Duke stated. "For 35 years, through three generations of athletes, they've brought nothing but gold to Cross River. This is no accident - it's the result of dedication, proper training, and Institutional support."
"I pledged my continued backing for the program and charge our champions to keep making us proud" Duke added.
