Don't take bribe from players, NTTF president warns coaches

The President of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Engr. Ishaku Tikon, has warned table tennis coaches in the country to take their integrity seriously and avoid the temptation of asking for bribes from their players.

He gave this warning at the opening ceremony of a strategic meeting, on Tuesday, for table tennis coaches and some key officials to plan and agree on ways of moving the game forward in the country.

He said: "Nigerian table tennis coaches, please do not beg your players for money or any form of greasing. The moment you do that, you have mortgaged your respect."

Tikon maintained that without respect, no meaningful result can be achieved in the development of the game in the country.

According to him, the meeting was to dwell on capacity building/high performance for the coaches and some key officials to bring them to speed in the current dynamics of the sport in line with international best practices.

Tikon said 32 coaches from states of the federation, including FCT, were in attendance to brainstorm and foster a lasting relationship and understanding that will move the game to the next level.

“We also believe there is need for constant capacity building to improve the quality of coaching as well as understanding new rules of the game.

“Strengthening of coaches is one of our key mandates. By the time we strengthen their capacity, they will in turn impart the knowledge in the players,” he explained.

Tikon also said plans were underway to partner with state governments to develop table tennis at the grassroots level.