The Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association (BSTTA) has formally implemented a groundbreaking “No Education, No Table Tennis” policy, mandating that every athlete representing the state must be enrolled in or possess a university degree. The initiative, spearheaded by the association’s chairman, Honourable Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade Stow, aims to break the cycle of poverty and lack of self-expression often seen in athletes from impoverished backgrounds.
Under this policy, the association is currently sponsoring several high-profile athletes at premier institutions. Notable beneficiaries include the reigning NUGA Games champions, Samuel Boboye and Hope Udoaka, who are both studying Library and Information Science at Benson Idahosa University. Other student-athletes include:
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Benson Idahosa University: Mathew John and Isaac Boye.
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Niger Delta University (NDU): Rejoice Harold (female captain), Oweifa Sholanke (Sociology), Kemela Udoh, Moses Anointing, and Blessing Debekeme.
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Recent Graduates: Nicolas Debekeme, who recently completed a degree in Political Science.
Beyond tuition, the BSTTA has taken a holistic approach to student-athlete welfare. Chairman Ama-Ebi personally manages the accommodation and general welfare of these players. To support the partner institutions, the association donated Stag Americas ITTF-approved tables to both Benson Idahosa University and Niger Delta University, as well as the University of Benin.
“No parents or guardians will be happy if their children only have table tennis medals without an educational degree to support it. That’s why we are implementing a policy in Bayelsa State that every player representing the state must possess a degree,” Honourable Ama-Ebi stated during a recent press conference.
To ensure the technical growth matches the academic one, the BSTTA sponsored four coaches to the National Institute of Sports (NIS) and several officials to ITTF Level 1 training in Ghana and Lagos. This multi-layered investment positions Bayelsa as a unique model for sports development in Nigeria, where the “added value” of a degree is considered as critical as a podium finish.
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