The Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association has concluded plans to renovate the table tennis hall within the Samson Siasia Sports complex in Yenagoa, the state capital.
This was contained in a statement signed by the chairman of the association Mr. Ama-ebi Ebikpolade ahead of the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta Ogun State next year.
According to the statement, the renovation will span a minimum of two weeks alongside several upgrades to enhance the hall’s utility, compliance with international standard, and overall functionality for athletes usage.
The statement notes that the scope of the work will witness padding of the wall with finished wood that would help to address recurring issue of wall stain which has continued to necessitate painting every six month.
It explains that the use of the finished wood will offer more durable aesthetics to reduce maintenance cost, and that they would install solar power in order to allow the athletes to train for extended hours.
It further explains that the floor of the hall would be covered with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) high performance with 4.5mm thickness.
It notes that the gate at the entrance of the hall would be replaced in order to safeguard upgraded facilities which includes ITTF approved table boards and other equipment.
The NTTF South South zonal representative states that when the renovation is completed he will donate a STAG- Americas 16 tournament ITTF approved table to be used in the hall to ensure that athletes have access to quality training.
He hinted that immediately after the renovation work that athletes would commence camping in preparations for the National Sports Festival slated for next year in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He added that the hall would be allocated to the cadet, U:17, Para and deaf table tennis while the senior would be moved to the newly constructed fortress built by the Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association BYSTTA.
