Bayelsa Govt inaugurates newly renovated table tennis hall

Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa on Saturday inaugurated the newly renovated Bayelsa Table Tennis Association Training Hall at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.

Diri lauded the association for the development of table tennis in the state in the past five years.

The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said government would support the association to achieve its aim ahead of the National Sports Festival coming up in Abeokuta, Ogun.

According to Diri, Bayelsa’s target is to surpass the performance of the state in the 2024 sports festival held in Asaba.

Diri said the Chairman, Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association, Mr Ama-ebi Stow had made his presence felt since he took charge of the association.

The governor, who described Stow, as a good example to youths of Bayelsa, asserted that the chairman’s gesture would forever be remembered.

“His commitment towards the development of table tennis makes the game more popular and rewarding,”

According to the state helmsman, the government is satisfied with the rise of table tennis and the state government would do everything possible for him to actualise his goal for the sports.

He urged the chairman not to rest on his oars, adding that the state government was fully aware of his undiminished commitment towards the development of table tennis in the South South, especially in Bayelsa.

“The chairman has made a lot of promises and we shall support him to make sure that those promises are fulfilled.

“He has promised a minimum of three gold medals and we believe the chairman. So, I want to thank him and all the athletes.

“I am sure that your prowess will continue to soar for you to become President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation. We have seen you demonstrate that at the state level,” he said.

The Commissioner for Sports Development, Champion Daniel Igail, lauded the deputy governor for the smooth working relationship with the Ministry of Sports.

He described it as a blessing to the ministry and the various associations in the sports council.

Igail explained that the deputy governor’s thoroughness had made his job easy as a commissioner, stressing that the deputy governor paid attention to every detail.

He added that Ama-ebi Stow had written his name in gold.