By Michael Ilaya
An Isoko Table Tennis Enthusiast, Comr. Palmer Ogheneyole Nathaniel has said all is set to kickstart the 2nd Edition of Isoko Nation Table Tennis Tournament scheduled to start from on the 7th of November, 2025.
This was made known to Journalists last Friday during a press briefing at Isoko Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat, Oleh, Delta State by the initiator/organizer, Comrade Palmer Ogheneyole Nathaniel, emphasizing that, the tournament was being organized in honor of his political leader, the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Elder Sherrif Oborevwori and to showcase the good works of the Governor’s administration in Isoko nation.
According to the organizer, the initiative is designed to strengthen bonds among Isoko Nation, promote wellness and cohesive living through sports.
“This idea was conceived last year with the vision of bringing together the 23 clans of Isoko nation to compete under one roof, for medals in the spirit of sportsmanship, unity and ancestral fraternity”
He stressed that, “Another central idea of this initiative is the identification and development of young table tennis professionals who will take the stage both nationally and intentionally. The vision is already manifesting, as some of our players who participated in the recently concluded Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) games returned with medals, making Isoko proud “.
He added that, as a result of this year’s tournament, he has acquired over 30 brand new table tennis boards which will be distributed to communities, noting that individuals who desire to have one in their private residence may also apply, provided they demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the game and commitment to it safe keeping.
Palmer further noted that the criteria for participation in the tournament is strictly for those who are indigenes of Isoko either paternally or maternally, emphasing that it is strictly an Isoko affair, including participants from Isoko extraction in the Isoko clans resident both in Ndokwa and Bayelsa states.
The organizer emphasising his enthusiasm for Table Tennis and bemoaning the dwindling interest on the game stated : “I am a lover of table tennis, if you look around you will realize that attention has been focused only on football, everybody is looking towards football related activities. I belong to a club, it is my desire to promote the game, raise the bar and ensure people have interest in the game”.
On what was his drive to organizing the tournament, he stated that “So, I decided that as a table tennis lover, if I am to do something, I have to organize a sport I am in love with. Table tennis is one game that is highly underrated, it is not being promoted like the way football is being done.
“We have table tennis academy in Bayelsa and I have been in touch with the chairman of the Table Tennis Federation in South-South. What I intend to do is that, once we discover that you have the talent for table tennis, we will send you to the academy.
“We know we have people who have the talent but no access to facilities to practice, some of them cannot even afford Spin Bats because they are very expensive”
Speaking further on the benefits of the game, he said that table tennis is a sport that enhance physical fitness, checkmates various ailments associated with not doing exercise.
The initiator and organiser of the tournament, describing the maiden edition of the tournament as nothing comparable in the benefits to participants as to what to expect over the next few days when the tournament commences, revealed that selected players who participated in last year’s edition will from today (5-9-2025) receive professional Spin Bats to aid their practice, stating that the year’s tournament, various monetary prize tags totalling N10M (Ten Million Naira) will be won in the categories of First position prize tag of N3M (Three Million Naira), Second position – N2M (Two Million Naira) and Third position N1M (One Million Naira) respectively.
