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Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State has congratulated the Canaan Queens of Canaan Table Tennis Club, Calabar, for their remarkable performance at the 2025 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) African Club Championships in Tunisia, where they secured a bronze medal for Nigeria. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Governor described the team’s achievement as a moment of pride for Cross River State and Nigeria, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sports development. "The Canaan Queens have made history and made us proud. Their dedication, resilience, and exceptional performance on the continental stage serve as an inspiration to young athletes in Cross River State and beyond. This achievement is a testament to the talent and potential that exists within our state, and as a government, we will continue to support sports development to ensure more successes like this," Governor Otu stated. The Governor acknowledged the role of the Canaan Tab...

  Nigeria’s dominance in African table tennis received a fresh boost as Canaan Table Tennis Club delivered a stellar performance at the African Table Tennis Club Championship in Tunisia, clinching a prestigious bronze medal. The remarkable feat places Nigeria among the continent’s elite, with the Canaan Queens—representing the Nigerian Table Tennis Federation (NTTF)—standing tall among 54 competing nations. The victory is a testament to the team’s resilience, skill, and determination, reinforcing Nigeria’s reputation as a powerhouse in table tennis. The Canaan Queens’ outstanding display of talent did not only bring honor to Nigeria but also shone a spotlight on Cross River State, home to the triumphant squad. Reacting to the achievement, the Chairman of Canaan Table Tennis Club, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, lauded the players for their hard work and commitment, describing their victory as a win for the entire country. He emphasized that their success once again highlights Nigeria’s strongh...

  The Canaan Table Tennis Club of Calabar which is representing Nigeria at the ongoing African Clubs Championship in Tunisia have secured a remarkable victory against the Challengers from Madagascar. This comes after beating Grappes d’Or de Grombelia of Tunisia in the last match. Canaan Queens was selected to represent the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) in the 2025 African Clubs Championship holding in Tunis from 22nd to 24th February 2025. Reacting to the win, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh hailed the Canaan Queens for their resounding victory so far at the tournament. He thanked the state governor for his support to the team while expressing confidence that Cannan queens will make the state as well as the country proud. The Canaan Queens are gearing up for their next match against Petrojet of Egypt later today.

  TUNIS, TUNISIA – February 22, 2025  The Canaan Table Tennis Club of Calabar has made a remarkable debut at the ongoing 2025 African Clubs Championship in Tunis, securing a commanding victory over Tunisia’s Grappes d'Or de Grombelia. The impressive win places the Nigerian team at the top of their group-stage standings. The Chairman of Canaan Table Tennis Club, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke has congratulated the team for their exceptional performance, commending their resilience and skill on the international stage. He expressed confidence in their ability to advance further in the tournament and make Nigeria proud. Encouraging the players to maintain their energy and determination, Duke urged them to approach their next match tomorrow morning, the 23rd of February 2025, against Madagascar Women's Table Tennis Club with the same verve and gusto. He also called on all Nigerians to support the team by following the provided link to watch the live matches from Tunisia https://www.youtube.co...

  Canaan Queens, players of the Canaan Table Tennis Club of Calabar, have arrived Tunisia through Casablanca, Morocco, for the 2025 finals of the African Clubs Championship taking place in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Canaan Table Tennis Club of Calabar was selected by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) to represent Nigeria in the 2025 African Clubs Championship holding in Tunis from 22 to 24, February 2025.  The players who arrived Tunis on Friday 21 February, will be having their first match today 22nd in group 2. Canaan Table Tennis Club vs Grappes d'Or de Grombelia of Tunisia will begin by 4:30pm Nigerian time. Meanwhile, Chairman of Canaan Table Tennis Club, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, has expressed profound gratitude to Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu for the immense support given to the team to facilitate their travel and other logistics. He assured the governor that Canaan Queens will put in their best to make Cross River and Nigeria proud. He also...

The Canaan Table Tennis Club of Calabar has officially been nominated to represent Nigeria at the 2025 African Club Table Tennis Championships, scheduled to take place from February 22 to 24, 2025, at the Palais des Sports d’El Menzah in Tunis, Tunisia. This prestigious nomination was communicated by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) in a letter addressed to the club’s Chairman, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, following discussions with the Federation President, Engr. Ishaku Tikon. This selection reinforces the club’s status as a key player in the sport and provides an opportunity to showcase their talent on the international stage. The championship will feature top clubs from across Africa competing in both men’s and women’s team events. The competition will begin with a round-robin group stage, progressing to a knockout phase to determine final rankings. Teams will be seeded based on the latest rankings, while unranked teams will be drawn randomly. The NTTF has tasked the Canaan Table T...

  The Chairman of Canaan Table Tennis Club, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, has congratulated Hope Udoaka on being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the female category at the 10th edition of the ELICRIS National Table Tennis Top 32 Invitational Championship.  Duke commended her exceptional performance, noting that she displayed remarkable skill and determination throughout the competition. Duke emphasized that Udoaka’s triumph is a testament to the club’s commitment to grooming young talents in Cross River State. He further acknowledged the support of Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, who is proud of her outstanding achievement. Hope Udoaka, representing Canaan Table Tennis Club of Calabar, emerged victorious after defeating Sukurat Aiyelebegan 4-2 in a thrilling final. Her win secured her the title of National Women’s Champion in the tournament held on December 23–24, 2024, at the Chief Molade Okoya Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. The event was organized by the ...

  Canaan Table Tennis Club of Calabar star, Hope Udoaka, has once again been crowned the National Women’s Champion at the 10th edition of the Hope Udoaka ELICRIS National Table Tennis Top 32 Invitational Championship.  The tournament was organized by the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA) in collaboration with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and the BAA Foundation. Udoaka showcased her dominance by defeating Sukurat Aiyelebegan 4-2 in a thrilling final to retain her title. Speaking after her victory, Udoaka attributed her success to the unwavering support of Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, Chairman of the Canaan Table Tennis Club, who she described as a key figure in grooming and promoting players from Cross River State to compete at national and international levels. “All thanks to the Honourable Chairman of Canaan Table Tennis Club for his support in bringing up players from Cross River State. It’s a thing of joy to announce that I have once again defended the title...

  The Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA), in collaboration with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and BAA Foundation, is gearing up to host the 10th edition of the ELICRIS Cups National Table Tennis Top 32 Invitational Championship. This prestigious event will feature Nigeria's top table tennis talents, including Hope Udoaka of Canaan Table Tennis Club, in an electrifying end-of-year competition. The championship is scheduled to take place at the renowned Sir Chief Molade Okoya Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Players are expected to arrive on Sunday, December 22, 2024, with matches kicking off on Monday, December 23, and concluding on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. Tournament Highlights: Categories: Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles in the Open and U-19 divisions. Participants: A total of 64 players (32 men and 32 women), alongside reserves. Match Format: Group stage (round-robin games) and knockout stage. Semi-final and final matches will be d...

  The U.J. Esuene Stadium came alive on Friday, November 15, 2024, as Govisco Ikom claimed victory in the first statewide secondary school football tournament, the Prince Otu Cup 2024. This  event was made possible by the esteemed sponsorship of Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, representing the Central Senatorial District. During the opening ceremony, Hon. Agnes Atu, Commissioner for Sports Development, lauded the efforts of Senator Williams, emphasizing the competition's role in revitalizing sports across the state. "This is the largest tournament sponsored by an individual, with 40 teams participating," Hon. Atu stated.  She called on other leaders to join Senator Williams in supporting youth development. Senator Williams, in his remarks, expressed his commitment to nurturing young talent.  “I am honoured to contribute to the growth of our children. I envision seeing them in the Super Eagles and other prestigious teams. This competition will continue as part of my unw...

  The Prince Otu Football Secondary School Tournament has commenced its Southern Senatorial District draws, following successful outings in the Northern and Central zones. At a briefing meeting, Special Adviser on Sports Development, Mr. Ekpenyong Ekanem, outlined the tournament's format: "The competition consists of two stages: Local Government Area (LGA) preliminaries and the zonal stage, where winners from each LGA will compete. We will also have matches for the best losers from the preliminaries." Participating schools include: - Calabar South (13 schools) - Calabar Municipal (26 schools) - Akpabuyo (8 schools) - Bakassi (6 schools) Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Agnes Atsu, emphasized talent identification and encouraged game masters to nurture young athletes. "We appreciate Senator Eteng Jones for his generous sponsorship and commitment to sports development," she said. The tournament aims to promote sports development and discover future stars in Cross Riv...

_First Lady, Sports Minister applaud athletes' resilience, tenacity and patriotic spirit_ The Nigerian Paralympic contingent to the 2024 Paralympic Games have been warmly received at the Presidential Villa by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, following their impressive performance in Paris. The team led by the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh were hosted by Senator Tinubu on Saturday, following their impressive performance at the Games, after securing a total of seven medals. The First Lady lauded the athletes for their dedication, resilience, and extraordinary achievements, emphasizing that their success at the Paralympic Games epitomizes perseverance, dedication, and the highest standard of sportsmanship. “Today, we celebrate not just the medals, but the spirit of resilience that defines our athletes and your names will be written in the annals of history as champions.” “I congratulate each one of you for making Nigeria proud. You...

  Offiong Edem stands as a towering figure in Nigerian sports, with a remarkable career in table tennis that spans nearly two decades. Her journey to international acclaim began at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where she first showcased her immense talent. Since then, she has represented Nigeria with distinction at the London Olympics in 2012, the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016, and the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Most recently, in 2024, Edem proudly carried the Nigerian flag at the Paris Olympics. In the current table tennis rankings, Offiong Edem holds the top position in Nigeria and is ranked 89th globally among female players. Her illustrious career is marked by a remarkable collection of 15 medals, including six Gold, four Silver, and five Bronze, attesting to her consistent performance and dedication to the sport. At the Paris Olympics, Edem competed fiercely in the women's singles event. She faced a tough opponent in Brazil's Takahashi Bruna during the round of 64. Despite her ...

  In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Nigeria's women's volleyball team secured a remarkable victory against Canada, earning a coveted spot in the Olympic quarter-finals. The match, held on  August 4, showcased the Nigerian team's prowess and resilience, as they outperformed their Canadian counterparts in a closely contested battle. Canada is out of the women’s basketball tournament at the Paris Olympics after losing 79-70 to Nigeria.  From the onset, the Nigerian team demonstrated exceptional teamwork and strategy, executing precise serves and powerful spikes that kept the Canadian team on the defensive. The match saw several intense rallies, with both teams exhibiting remarkable athleticism and tenacity. However, Nigeria could capitalize on key moments and maintain their composure under pressure ultimately leading to their triumph. This victory marks a significant milestone for Nigerian women's volleyball, highlighting the team's growth and potentia...

As part of her ongoing stakeholders' engagement, the National Population Commission (NPC) Cross River State led by the Honorable Federal Commissioner (HFC), Rt. Hon. Alex Ukam paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Sport Development, Senator John Owan Enoh to advocate support for upcoming Birth Registration outreach in the State. In a meeting at the Federal Ministry of Sport, the Cross River State NPC Boss appreciated the warm reception, commitment, and proactiveness of the Minister, despite very short notice, adding that was an indication of mutual respect and love for Cross River State. Rt. Hon. Ukam used the opportunity to intimate the Minister about the low record of birth registrations in Cross River State due to a wide range of challenges militating against effective  delivery of population services in such as difficult terrains, poor and or lack of needed facilities, low manpower, and other logistics as well as infrastructural concerns. The NPC Federal Commissioner further...

  By Uchino Amatey A visit advocating for increased engagement of Cross Riverians in the Ministry of Sports Development activities has yielded a mutual commitment to collaboration between the leadership of Cross River State and the Ministry. The visit which held at the Ministry of Sports Development, Abuja was led by the Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Hon. Chris Mbu-Ogar. During the visit, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh responded positively, expressing appreciation for the efforts of the Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters and affirmed his commitment to supporting Governor Otu.  He assured that he will continue to explore ways to enhance the development of Cross Riverians and the state, while encouraging greater inclusivity in the state’s administration. Expressing gratitude for the Minister's support for Governor Otu, the Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Hon. Chris Mbu-Ogar, appealed for the involveme...

  The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan-Enoh, has expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the Canaan Queens, the dynamic players from the Canaan Table Tennis Club of Calabar, for their outstanding performance at the recently concluded African Club Table Tennis Championship in Benghazi, Libya. In a telephone call with the Chairman of Canaan Table Tennis Club, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, the Minister praised the team for their exceptional representation of Nigeria on the international stage. He commended their skill, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Senator Owan-Enoh also lauded Hon. Orok Duke for his steadfast support and dedication to the team, highlighting how individual efforts can significantly contribute to the growth and development of sports in Nigeria. He emphasized that such support is crucial for nurturing talent and achieving excellence in sports. The Canaan Queens showcased remarkable prowess by defeating Benghazi Al Jahdida of Libya...