The founder of Royal House of Grace International Church and grand patron of the Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association, Apostle Zilly Aggrey has praised the state’s Table Tennis Chairman, Ama-ebi Ebikpolade Stow, for transforming the sport’s landscape in Bayelsa.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the South-South Veterans Table Tennis Championship on Saturday at The Fortress in Yenagoa, Apostle Aggrey described Stow’s leadership and investment as game-changing.
“I am marvelled by the gigantic edifice constructed by Ama-ebi Stow for table tennis development. This structure has given Bayelsa a new direction in the sport,” he said.
The cleric, a former chairman of the state association, urged Niger Delta stakeholders to invest in table tennis infrastructure to nurture young talents and replace ageing players.
Aggrey also commended Governor Douye Diri’s administration for its strong support for sports, saying Stow’s passion has complemented the governor’s vision, which continues to put Bayelsa on the global sports map.
In his remarks, Ama-ebi Stow, who also serves as Technical Adviser to the Governor on Table Tennis and South-South Zonal Representative on the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) board, said all six Niger Delta states were fully represented at the veterans championship.
“The goal is to identify the strongest team in the region and showcase Bayelsa’s dominance in table tennis,” Stow said, referencing the state’s outstanding performance at the last National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
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He added that hosting the dual events – the South-South Veterans Championship and the inaugural Governor Douye Diri Top-16 National Table Tennis Tournament – provides a platform to highlight the state’s developmental strides ahead of the 2028 National Sports Festival, which Bayelsa will host.
Stow thanked Governor Diri, Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and Sports Development Commissioner Dr Daniel Igali for prioritising sports, noting that the tournaments have boosted local businesses in Yenagoa.
Mr Morrison Asimole of Port Harcourt Club 1928 also hailed the organisers, saying the championship will rekindle enthusiasm for table tennis across the South-South.
The South-South Veterans Table Tennis Championship concludes on Sunday, 30 November 2025, while the 1st Governor Douye Diri Top-16 National Table Tennis Championship begins immediately after and ends on Monday, 1 December 2025, at The Fortress, Yenagoa.
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