The Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association, led by Chairman Mr. Ama-ebi Ebikpolade, has announced plans to renovate the table tennis hall at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, ahead of the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, next year. According to the statement, the renovation will take at least two weeks and will include several upgrades to bring the hall up to international standards and improve its functionality for athletes.
The renovation will involve padding the walls with finished wood to address recurring wall stains that require frequent repainting, offering a more durable and cost-effective solution. Solar power will be installed to allow athletes to train for longer hours. The hall’s floor will be covered with Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) high-performance flooring with a 4.5mm thickness.
Additionally, the entrance gate will be replaced to safeguard the upgraded facilities, including ITTF-approved table boards and equipment. The NTTF South-South zonal representative also pledged to donate a STAG-Americas 16 tournament ITTF-approved table upon completion of the renovations to ensure athletes have access to high-quality training equipment.
Once the renovations are complete, athletes will begin camping in preparation for the upcoming National Sports Festival. The hall will be designated for cadet, U-17, Para, and deaf table tennis players, while senior players will move to a newly constructed facility by the Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association (BYSTTA).
