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Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri and Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association Chairman, Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade Stow, at the inauguration of Nigeria’s Best Table Tennis facility, “The Fortress”, in Yenagoa.
Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association Chairman, Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade Stow, has revealed that plans to have global leader in Table Tennis equipment and sports infrastructure, STAG Global, as sponsor of the state Table Tennis team is ongoing.
Stow made the revelation when he took Publisher of sportbusinessbrand.com, Ojeikere Aikhoje, on an exclusive inspection tour of “The Fortress”, which is the only Table Tennis facility in Nigeria and one of the few around the world.
“The equipment we have in The Fortress were acquired from STAG Global which is one of the biggest Table Tennis equipment manufacturers in the world. STAG has been around for over 100 years.
“STAG Global is pleased with our drive to make Table Tennis a big sport, not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa. This facility is a testament to what we can do in Table Tennis.
“We may be small in size, but serious about sport. We went to Uyo with Team B for the Niger Delta Sports Festival and won. At the Gateway Games National Sports Festival, we were exceptional. This explains why we are now the dominant force in the sport in Nigeria,” he told Aikhoje.
Facilities at the Fortress includes a Lounge where players can relax after games, offices, a restaurant, changing rooms, meeting rooms, spectators stand and convenience.
A hotel is under construction behind The Fortress to accommodate athletes and officials.
Interestingly, Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association has a foreign coach, Luciano Esposito, from Italy.
Table Tennis Hub
Governor Diri (right) his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo (left) relishing the experience at the cozy Fortress after the inaugration.
Sponsorship from STAG Global will make Bayelsa State the first in Nigeria to secure a high-profile sponsor as it seeks to make the state the hub for Table Tennis growth and development in Africa.
Bayelsa is already the first in Nigeria to acquire equipment from STAG Global.
“A lot of corporate organisations in Bayelsa are excited with what they’ve seen here and want to partner us. We are open to partnerships. This is the home of Table Tennis.
“We’ve created a huge opportunity for anyone in Bayelsa to play Table Tennis. This facility is only for Table Tennis,” he maintained.
He added that discussions have started with government to ensure the facility is properly maintained.
Inauguration of The Fortress
Earlier in the month, Governor Duoye Diri applauded Stow while inaugurating the facility.
Accompanied by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and other senior government officials, Diri noted that Stow has written his name in gold, describing the event as a momentous occasion.
Stow at ‘The Fortress” speaking with Ojeikere Aikhoje
Diri was excited that the facility was championed by Stow in line with his administration’s determination to use sports as a means of meaningfully engaging youths.
Bayelsa Dominance
Bayelsa State dominated the sport with young athletes and emerged overall champions at the Niger Delta Sports Festival organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The feat was repeated at the just concluded Gateway Games National Spots Festival, in Ogun State.
Bayelsa State dethroned Delta State in the men’s team event, as the formidable trio of Olajide Omotayo, Taiwo Mati, and Azeez Solanke stunned the competition, defeating Delta in the final after dispatching host state Ogun 3-1 in the semifinal.
Table Tennis Industry in Bayelsa
Indeed, with the mantra: “Engaged youths equal less crime in the community”, Stow has created a Table Tennis industry in Bayelsa State capable of stimulating the local economy in Bayelsa and Nigeria.
With the best facility and some Nigeria’s best talents in Yenagoa, the best place for any Table Tennis competition is “The Fortress”.
This is a clearly a feat worthy of emulation by others.
About Stag Global
Stag International is a family-owned multi-sport brand, founded in 1922, known for its focus on table tennis equipment. They sponsor numerous national table tennis teams and are partners with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).
While their primary focus is table tennis, they also offer equipment for over 20 other sports.
The company is known for its high-quality products and its role in supporting the growth of table tennis globally.
