The newly appointed Chairman of the Cross River State Table Tennis Association, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, PhD has raised concerns over inadequate funding and poor infrastructure affecting the development of the sport in the state NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
Duke said the lack of training facilities, athlete hostels and modern equipment has continued to hinder efforts to groom young talents and sustain performance.
According to him, one of the major challenges is the absence of a dedicated accommodation system for athletes, which he said is critical for effective training and discipline.
“We have challenges with camping and accommodation. Without isolating and training athletes in a structured environment, it becomes difficult to achieve the desired level of discipline and performance,” he said.
He also highlighted the high cost of table tennis equipment, noting that essential materials such as rubbers and kits require constant replacement and significant financial investment.
Duke called for increased government support and collaboration with private individuals to address the gaps and reposition the sport for competitive success.
