Calabar, Nigeria – The Nigerian Navy on Saturday pledged commitment to the development and support of sports in Cross River.
The pledge was made by Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, in Calabar when the Cross River Table Tennis Association, led by its Vice Chairman, paid him a courtesy visit.
The visit, which was to inform the Navy of the association’s plan to organise a year-end tournament tagged “Calabar Table Tennis Challenge” between Dec. 13 and 14, was also to request the Navy’s collaboration, support and attendance during the tourney.
Speaking during the visit, Akinwande pledged continuous collaboration of the navy with the association for sports development in the state.
The FOC also used the opportunity to commend Cross River for producing world-class table tennis players such as Offiong Edem and Hope Udoaka who have made the state and country proud.
Also speaking during the visit, the Vice Chairman of the Association, Mr Usen Umoh, lauded the Navy for its support and collaboration towards the development of table tennis in the state.
According to him, “I want to particularly commend you for providing your sports hall for training since the early 1980s, Your unwavering commitment to the development of table tennis in Cross River is deeply appreciated.
“Your dedication not only inspires our young athletes but also strengthens the bond between the Nigerian Navy and the sporting community.”
He said as an association, they remained committed to collaborating with the Nigerian Navy in promoting table tennis as a sport through joint initiatives which would improve the bond between the navy and the sports community.
He added that the visit demonstrates their shared commitment to promoting sports development in the state.
