The Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association says it has concluded plans to inaugurate an ultra-modern table tennis facility in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital.
The inauguration of the facility, to be known as the Coastal Fortress, will also feature the unveiling of Italy’s Luciano Esposito as the new Coach for the association.
This is contained in a statement signed by the chairman of the state table tennis association, Mr. Ama-ebi Ebikpolade Stow, ahead of the inauguration of the multi-billion naira facility located at the Oxbow-Lake Road, by Federal Mortgage Bank, Yenagoa.
According to the statement, the historic event will take by 2:00 pm on Wednesday, the 14th of May, 2025, with Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri as the Special Guest of Honour while the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, will be the Guest of Honour.
CP Bankole Anderson, who is the Chairman of the Para-Table Tennis Division of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, NTTF and Chairman ITTF Africa Para-Table Tennis Commission, Permanent Member ITTF Para-Table Tennis Committee, will serve as chairman of the occasion, and the President, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Engr. Tikon Ishaku is expected to be the Chief Host.
Director General National Sports Commission, Mr. Bukola Olapade, will serve as Special Guest, former chairman of the association and patron, Apostle Dr. David Zilly Aggrey, will be the father of the day, and commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, is the host of the event.
The statement explained that other special guests expected in Yenagoa are Alabo Boma Iyaye, Chairman of Niger Delta Sports Festival and former commissioner for Sports in Rivers State, chairman House Committee on Youth and Sports, Hon. Tare Porri and Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi.
According to the statement, the President, African Table Tennis Federation and Executive Vice President, International Table Tennis Federation, Mr. Wahid Enitan Oshodi will also grace the occasion, just as Co-Chairman of Niger Delta Sports Festival and former chairman Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Delta State chapter, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo will be in attendance,
Also expected at the event are Chief Solomon Ogba, formerly of the Delta State Sports Commission, Pastor Charles Osazuwa, Chairman, Edo State Table Tennis Association, Mr. Joe Akedesuo (Board member, Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association and Chairman, Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission, BYSIEC, Dr. Peter Singabele, amongst others.
According to the Bayelsa State table tennis boss’s notes, the facility is the first of its kind in the country and in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, stating that Bayelsa would soon become the home of table tennis with the completion and formal Inauguration of the facility.
