By Martin Odiete
Barrister Hamidu Ali Ibrahim, a lawyer and civil servant, has thrown his hat into the ring to join the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) board, with a campaign promise to boost grassroots development of table tennis in the North-Central region.
His bid is backed by his recent sponsorship of the inaugural Barr. Hamidu Ali Ibrahim (North Central) Table Tennis Championship, which brought together top athletes from the seven North-Central states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The championship, held at the Abuja Sports Complex, aimed to unearth hidden talents and bridge the gap between the North-Central region and other parts of the country in table tennis.
His initiative aligns with the NTTF’s efforts to promote the sport nationwide, particularly through events like the U-12 National Hopes Week, designed to discover and nurture young talents.
Speaking with our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday, Ibrahim, who previously served twice as chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Table Tennis Association, said his ambition is driven by his passion for the game and his track record of leadership.
“At least as a member of the board of the National Table Tennis Federation, I should be able to develop table tennis in North-Central Nigeria in particular,” he stated.
The aspirant stressed the need to harness talents at the grassroots through regular local competitions, which he said would help discover and nurture players who could compete at the national and international levels.
“Table tennis is one sport Nigerians are naturally good at. Unfortunately, most of the players we see at the national stage are from the Southwest. My plan is to go to the grassroots, organize local competitions, and bring out talents from other parts of the country, especially the North-Central,” he said.
On the performance of the outgoing NTTF board, Ibrahim acknowledged their contributions but noted that there is room for improvement. “They have done well, but as human beings, there are always areas that can be improved upon. We will build on their achievements to move the sport forward,” he added.
Looking ahead, he emphasized the need to groom players who can step into the shoes of Africa’s top-ranked table tennis star, Aruna Quadri. “We must encourage those already at the international level and prepare future stars to take over. Nigerians should see table tennis as a unifying sport, just like football,” he said.
On Nigeria’s chances of winning medals in future global tournaments, Ibrahim expressed optimism. “Why not? With the talents we have and the right leadership on the board, we can aim for Olympic medals,” he declared.
As an aspiring board member, Ibrahim’s focus on grassroots development could potentially enhance the NTTF’s existing programs, such as national coaching seminars and talent identification initiatives. His experience as a sponsor and organizer of table tennis events might bring valuable insights to the federation’s leadership.
