A lawyer and civil servant, Barrister Hamidu Ali Ibrahim, has been elected into the board of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) as the representative of the North-Central Zone, following a keenly contested election held at the Media Centre of the Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO) National Stadium, Abuja, on Saturday.
The election, conducted under the supervision of the National Sports Commission (NSC), saw Barrister Hamidu Ali emerge victorious after a tightly fought two-round contest that demonstrated the vibrancy and competitiveness within the zone.
Hamidu, who expressed deep appreciation for the trust reposed in him, said his election marks the beginning of a new era for table tennis development in the North-Central region.
Speaking to journalists shortly after being declared winner, the elated new board member vowed to focus on grassroots revival and inclusive sports development across the seven states in the zone — Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Niger, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
> “Let me begin by thanking all members of my campaign team who worked tirelessly to make this victory possible,” he said. “I also want to appreciate the outgoing board for the solid foundation they laid. We are ready to build on that and take table tennis to new heights in the North-Central region.”
The new NTTF board member emphasized that the era of empty promises was over, assuring his supporters that his administration will prioritize action over words.
> “The time for talk is over; now is the time to work. I intend to ensure that table tennis grows beyond the cities and reaches the grassroots. We will develop young talents, organize regional tournaments, and partner with schools to catch them young,” Hamidu stated.
He further promised to foster collaboration among state associations in the zone, with the goal of producing future champions who can compete nationally and internationally.
The election, described by observers as transparent and peaceful, produced fourteen board members representing various geopolitical zones and stakeholder groups in the sport.
Also present at the event was the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Mr. Bukola Olopade, who commended the orderly conduct of the elections and congratulated all newly elected members. He expressed optimism that the new NTTF board, under the leadership of its incoming chairman, will consolidate on past achievements and reposition the sport for greater success.
Hamidu Ali’s emergence is seen by many as a welcome development, given his dual background in law and public service, which stakeholders believe will bring a blend of discipline, structure, and innovation to the Federation’s activities in the region.
With his election, the North-Central zone is expected to witness renewed investment in youth development, training facilities, and grassroots tournaments aimed at discovering new talents and reviving interest in the sport across communities.
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