By Frank Ulom
Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, PhD, Chairman of the Cross River State Table Tennis Association, has raised alarm over the growing trend of Cross River athletes leaving the state in search of better opportunities due to poor incentives.
Duke said that several promising players have either switched allegiance to other states or abandoned the sport entirely due to inadequate welfare and support systems.
He noted that while the state has produced top athletes over the years, many are unable to sustain their careers locally due to financial constraints and the lack of structured support.
“Some of these athletes are lured by offers from other states, only to be abandoned later. It is a disturbing trend that is affecting the growth of sports in the state,” he said.
He further lamented that athletes who represent the state and even the country are often not rewarded or promoted, despite existing policies in place.
According to him, the situation has contributed to declining morale among athletes and poses a threat to the future of table tennis in Cross River.
Duke urged the government to prioritise athlete welfare and create incentives that would encourage talent to remain and develop within the state.
Converseer reports that Duke donated sporting equipment and cash worth millions to table tennis athletes for the recently concluded Niger Delta games in Benin City, Edo State.
As Chairman of Canaan Table Club, Duke has raised several talents including Offiong Edem, Funke Oshonaike, Cecilia Otu and Janet Effiom, who emerged as trailblazers for Nigerian women in the sport.
Offiong Edem represented Nigeria at the Olympic Games in 2004, 2012, 2016 and 2020, while also achieving international recognition during her professional career in Europe.
Cecilia Otu won women’s doubles gold alongside Edem at the 2007 and 2011 All Africa Games before later clinching Nigeria’s national singles title in 2017 and competing at the Commonwealth Games.
Funke Oshonaike and Janet Effiom also rose through the Canaan system to represent Nigeria internationally, helping to break gender barriers in Nigerian table tennis and further boosting Cross River’s national sporting reputation.
