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By Joe Apu
The Offiong Edem Foundation Table Tennis Tournament is set for its third edition come August, further strengthening its mission of discovering and empowering young talents from grassroots communities across, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Initiated by former Nigerian table tennis women’s champion Offiong Edem, the tournament began in 2021 on the streets of Calabar as an open competition designed to give underprivileged children a platform to showcase their abilities in a structured setting.
Reflecting on the journey so far, Edem noted that the initiative was born out of a deep personal desire to create opportunities for children who, like her, started from humble beginnings.
“We started this tournament from the streets of Calabar to give hope to kids who have talent but no access to proper training or competitions. I came from that background, so I understand how important it is to create opportunities,” she said.
Now in its third edition, the competition continues to focus on cadet and junior categories, targeting boys and girls in the under-13 and under-15 brackets as well as the open category.
According to Edem, the tournament has grown steadily, with this year’s edition expected to deliver greater rewards and impact for participants.
“This year, we are raising the bar. We are looking at a prize pool of ₦3 million for winners and runners-up across categories. There will also be equipment like rackets, rubbers, and training kits, as well as trophies and medals,” she revealed.
Beyond prizes, the former African champion emphasized the long-term vision of the initiative, which includes educational support for standout players.
“It’s not just about winning medals. We want to support their future too, possibly through scholarships and continued development both in sports and academics,” she added.
Edem, who is currently based in the United States where she coaches at the Lonestar Table Tennis Academy in Austin, Texas, said the exposure she is gaining abroad is being channeled back into developing grassroots table tennis in Nigeria.
As the tournament enters its third edition, it continues to serve as a vital platform for talent discovery, reinforcing the role of sports as a tool for social change and youth empowerment.
