The third edition of the Daniel Ford Elite Invitational Table Tennis Tournament has officially commenced, starting not with competitive matches, but with a focused effort to build player skills. The event launched with a two-day coaching clinic for all participants at the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) Training Centre, located within the National Stadium complex in Surulere, Lagos.
Skill Development Takes Centre Stage
This pre-competition clinic, a key initiative sponsored by the tournament, is designed to empower athletes with essential techniques before the main event begins. The primary competition is scheduled to start on Friday at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall inside the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Under the guidance of Dotun Omoniyi, a team of top national coaches is leading the sessions. The clinic's objective is to drill participants, refresh their tactical knowledge, and ensure they reach peak competitive condition for the tournament ahead.
Sponsor's Vision: More Than Just a Competition
For the tournament sponsor, Yemi Edun, this educational component is vital. He emphasized that a tournament should serve as more than just a platform for competition; it must also be an avenue to sharpen skills.
"Players undoubtedly improve by facing strong opponents," Edun stated. "However, the invaluable input from trained eyes—coaches, mentors, and experts—who prepare them before they step onto the stage is crucial. This ensures every competitor brings their absolute best. I believe the overall impact of this tournament has been overwhelmingly positive."
Building a Pipeline for Future Champions
A significant development in this year's tournament is the introduction of an Under-12 category. Edun sees this strategic move as fundamental to strengthening Nigeria's talent pipeline for the sport.
He elaborated on his vision, connecting it to Nigeria's demographic potential. "It is absolutely within our abilities to use this tournament as a pipeline for creating elite-tier players," he said. "In sports, mastery must begin early; some say as early as 13 years old, otherwise you risk falling behind the global curve. We are the largest Black nation on earth. Statistically, we should have more talent to discover, nurture, and showcase."
Edun expressed a bold and clear ambition for the future of Nigerian table tennis, adding, "That is why I fully envisage a future, within the next seven years, where Nigeria stands proudly as Africa's leading table tennis nation."
A Cornerstone for Nigerian Table Tennis
By blending intense competition with dedicated skill development, the Daniel Ford Elite Invitational continues to solidify its role as a cornerstone event for Nigerian table tennis. It is actively positioning itself as a critical incubator for the nation's next generation of champions, investing in both the present competitors and the future stars in the new U-12 category.
