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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

NTTF lauds Babcock for table tennis support

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) commended Babcock University for supporting national youth teams in their preparation for international competitions.
  • Athletes spent three weeks at the university, benefiting from accommodation and a conducive environment, leading to significant medal wins.
  • Babcock University reaffirmed its commitment to holistic development, encouraging athletes to pursue education alongside sports careers.

Babcock University has received commendation from the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) for its crucial support to national youth teams. The university provided accommodation and a conducive training environment for three weeks, enabling athletes to prepare effectively for major international competitions in Ghana and The Gambia.

A delegation from the NTTF, led by Secretary-General Akanmu Olusoji, visited the university to present medals and trophies. The delegation included national coach Idowu Ayodele and four players: Aishat Rabiu, Matthew Fabunmi, Mathew Kuti, and Quadri Atunwon. They expressed gratitude for the university's role in their recent successes.

For the first time in a long time, we provided a home for a few weeks for teenagers being prepared for a championship. And they won. They won many medals.

— Prof. Afolarin Olutunde OjewoleBabcock University President and Vice-Chancellor, expressing delight at the athletes' success.

Babcock University President and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, reiterated the institution's dedication to nurturing well-rounded individuals. "For the first time in a long time, we provided a home for a few weeks for teenagers being prepared for a championship. And they won. They won many medals," Ojewole stated, highlighting the positive impact of the university's support.

Sport has an expired age.

— Akanmu OlusojiNTTF Secretary-General, stressing the importance of education for athletes' future.

Beyond athletic achievements, Ojewole encouraged the athletes to prioritize education. He introduced Babcock’s Distance E-Learning program as a flexible option for athletes balancing international competitions with their studies, citing examples like African table tennis champion Funke Oshonaike and former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal. NTTF Secretary-General Olusoji echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that sporting careers are temporary and academic qualifications provide a vital foundation for life after retirement. "Sport has an expired age," he noted.

National coach Ayodele also credited Babcock's environment, food, and discipline for the team's strong preparation, calling the university "part of the success story." The team's performance validated this, with Nigeria securing 13 medals (two gold, three silver, eight bronze) at the African Youth Championship in Ghana and an additional four medals (one gold, one silver, two bronze) at the African Youth Cup.

part of the success story.

— Idowu AyodeleNational coach, crediting Babcock's environment for the team's strong preparation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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