The Chairman of Canaan Table Tennis Club, Calabar, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, PhD, has extended heartfelt congratulations to Hope Udoaka for emerging as the new national female champion at the Fifth Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial National Table Tennis Championships, held in Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State.
In an electrifying final over the weekend, Udoaka overcame seasoned player Halima Hussain of Oyo State with a commanding 4-1 victory (11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7) to clinch the title.
Describing her as one of the club’s rapidly rising stars, Duke commended Udoaka’s commitment to excellence and consistent hard work, noting that “her zeal for hard work and excellence” has been evident in the club’s success in recent competitions.
He also expressed appreciation to the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, for his unwavering support for table tennis development in the state. “We are grateful to the Governor for the passionate support of table tennis in Cross River,” Duke stated.
Highlighting the Club’s developmental efforts, Duke remarked that Canaan Table Tennis Club remains committed to “grooming a new generation of table tennis stars, whose skills and talents hold the future of the sport in the state.”
Looking ahead, he voiced optimism that Cross River would shine in the sport at the upcoming National Sports Festival in Ogun State. “We hope that table tennis will make Cross River proud by winning gold medals,” he said.
