In a bid to promote youth participation in sports, particularly Table Tennis, philanthropist and sports enthusiast Ahmed Khamisu Mailantarki has donated Butterfly Centerfold Table Tennis tables and accessories across the six states of Nigeria’s Northeast region.
The donation was made during a two-day Maiden Table Tennis Clinic held at the indoor hall of the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo, Taraba State.
The clinic, as noticed by The Guardian, brought together young participants and coaches from across the six Northeastern states for intensive training and talent discovery.
Speaking, Mailantarki stated that his gesture was driven by a passion to develop Table Tennis in the region. He emphasized that the clinic was organized to identify and nurture young talents who can go on to represent the Northeast at national and international competitions.
“The goal is to catch them young and provide the necessary tools and mentorship that can elevate their skills,” he said.
Also speaking, a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from the Northeast, Heman Timothy, commended Mailantarki for his commitment to grassroots sports development.
Timothy commended the coaches for their hands on training sessions and urged them to continue nurturing the identified talents in their respective states.
Chief Coach of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Bello Nasiru, described the clinic as a vital platform for discovering and grooming young talents. He applauded Mailantarki’s support, promising continued collaboration in future development programs. Nasiru also revealed that similar clinics would be held across other states in the region as part of an ongoing talent hunt initiative.
Shuabu Okainde, a Technical Director on the Board of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, also hailed the event as one of the best efforts to groom young players in the sport. He lauded the sponsor for investing in grassroots development.
In his remarks, Taraba State Sports Council Director, George Shitta, expressed gratitude to the organizers for choosing Taraba to host the maiden edition of the clinic. He also thanked the national coaches for dedicating their time and expertise to training the youth.