The Chairman of Canaan Table Tennis Association, Table Tennis Associations in Cross River, Orok Otu Duke, has paid the school fees of 24 table tennis players in Cross River State, covering beneficiaries from primary school to higher institutions.
The beneficiaries comprise six primary school pupils, 13 secondary school students, two students in higher institutions and three others awaiting their Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board results.
The fees were paid in full on Monday.
Commending the gesture, the Chairman of the Cross River State Sports Commission, Lawrence Etta, said Duke had demonstrated that the welfare of athletes should extend beyond the playing arena.
Etta, who praised Duke for his consistent payment of school fees for table tennis players, urged other sports association chairmen in the state to adopt similar measures to support their athletes.
He said athletes should be encouraged to combine education with sports, noting that sporting success should not come at the expense of academic development.
Etta also acknowledged Duke’s contributions to sports development in the state, including the provision of solar lights at the stadium, while pledging his support for Duke’s continued leadership of the state table tennis association.
Speaking to the players, Duke challenged them to reciprocate the support by working harder in both academics and table tennis.
He said the payment of their school fees was intended to give them the opportunity to develop both their education and sporting careers, adding that he expected them to produce results on the table.
Duke cited the likes of Nigerian table tennis stars Offiong Edem, Adam and Cecilia as examples of players who started from humble beginnings before earning recognition through hard work.
He urged the players to target similar achievements and help Cross River emerge victorious in future competitions.
Duke also assured the athletes that he would continue to pay their monthly stipends in addition to supporting their education.
He charged them to take their studies seriously and intensify their preparations for competitions, stressing that he wanted to see champions emerge from the group.
