Ahmed Khamisu Mailantarki, a philanthropist and sports enthusiast, has launched a talent hunt for grassroots table‑tennis players across Nigeria’s six northeastern states. The initiative aims to promote youth participation in sports and develop the game in the region. As part of the effort, Mr. Mailantarki donated Butterfly Centerfold table‑tennis tables and accessories to support training.
The donation was made during a two‑day table‑tennis clinic held at the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo, Taraba State. The clinic brought together young participants and coaches from across the northeastern states for intensive training and talent discovery. According to Mr. Mailantarki, his goal is to identify and nurture young talents who can represent the region at national and international competitions, emphasizing the importance of providing the necessary tools and mentorship to elevate their skills.
The clinic received praise from various stakeholders. Heman Timothy, a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, commended Mr. Mailantarki’s commitment to grassroots sports development. Bello Nasiru, chief coach of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, described the clinic as a vital platform for discovering and grooming young talent, applauding the support and promising continued collaboration in future development programs. Technical Director Shuabu Okainde hailed the event as one of the best efforts to groom young players, praising the sponsor for investing in grassroots development.
Taraba State Sports Council Director George Shitta expressed gratitude to the organizers for choosing Taraba to host the maiden edition of the clinic and thanked the national coaches for dedicating their time and expertise to training the youth. The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation plans to hold similar clinics across other states in the region as part of an ongoing talent‑hunt initiative.
The talent hunt and clinic are significant steps toward promoting table tennis in Nigeria’s northeastern region. By providing opportunities for young players to develop their skills, the initiative aims to produce athletes capable of competing at national and international levels. With the support of philanthropists like Mr. Mailantarki and the collaboration of sports organizations, the region’s table‑tennis landscape is poised for growth and development.
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