The Chairman of Canaan Table Tennis Association, Orok Otu Duke, has challenged Cross River table tennis players to repay the support they receive by working harder and winning competitions for the state.
Duke gave the charge on Monday after paying the school fees of 24 table tennis players in the state, covering athletes from primary school to higher institutions.
The beneficiaries comprised six primary school pupils, 13 secondary school students, two students in higher institutions and three others awaiting their Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board results.
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The fees were paid in full.
Addressing the players, Duke said the financial support would mean little if they failed to translate it into improved performances on the table.
He urged them to combine their studies with serious commitment to table tennis, stressing the need for champions to emerge from the group.
Duke cited Nigerian table tennis players, including Offiong Edem, Adam and Cecilia, as examples of athletes who started small before gaining recognition.
He urged the players to emulate their dedication and work towards achieving similar success.
“You have to work harder because there is a need for champions to emerge from you,” Duke told the players.
He added that his support was not limited to the payment of school fees, assuring the athletes that he would continue to provide their monthly stipends.
Duke, however, charged them to demonstrate commitment by taking their education seriously and improving their performances in competitions.
He expressed the expectation that Cross River would emerge victorious across events at their next competitions.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Cross River State Sports Commission, Lawrence Etta, commended Duke for supporting the athletes’ education.
Etta urged other sports association chairmen in the state to emulate the gesture, saying athletes should be supported to combine education with sports.
He also commended Duke’s contributions to sports development in the state, including the provision of solar lights at the stadium.
Etta expressed his support for Duke’s continued leadership of the Cross River State Table Tennis Association.
