Janet Samuel, Abuja
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria has awarded excellent players from Junior Secondary Schools across the FCT in table tennis competition.
The ceremony which took place yesterday was an annual event organised by Chinese embassy in Nigeria in collaboration with the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Abuja.
Speaking during the award at Junior Secondary School, Garki, Abuja, the Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and also the Director of Chinese Cultural Center, Mr Li Xuda said the tournament was organised to improve skills among the students and to promote popularity of the game among Nigerians as is obtainable in China.
Xuda, who expressed delight in the improved exchange and growing friendship between Chinese and FCT Universal Basic Education Board over time, promised to create a better learning environment for the students in subsequent editions.
“Today I’m so delighted to attend 2023 Chinese Ambassador Cup Table Tennis Tournament & Awards Ceremony.
“On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, I want to express my warmest congratulations on the success of the event and extend my best wishes to each of you!
“As we know, in any competition, to compete skills is only one thing, more important is to get to know other people, and build friendship; to build up our bodies is one thing, more important is to enjoy the game. This is the essence of sports, and I think it is also the essence of 2023 Chinese Ambassador Cup Table Tennis Tournament, which is jointly hosted by the Embassy of P.R. China In Nigeria and V’C1 Universal Basic Education Board!
| do hope every player can enjoy the contest, compete your skills and harvest friendship!
“I’m so happy to see that by organizing such a tournament, we are really providing opportunities for players from different FCT UBEB schools to improve their skills, and promote the popularity of this game in Nigeria.
“In China, table tennis is very popular among the general public. It is no exaggeration to say that almost every Chinese, men and women, old and young, can play it. I hope years later, in our local schools, teachers and Students can play this beautiful game, I hope years later, “ Chincse Ambassador Cup” Table Tennis Tournament can become a well-known event brand in Abuja.
“In recent year, we are very pleased to witness the strengthening exchange and growing friendship between Chinese Embassy and FCT UBEB. It is our aim to create a better learning environment for our lovely students through upgrading “China Corner”, donating Pingpang tables, chairs and desks, books to FCT schools; it’s also our aim to build a platform for our local students to demonstrate their excellent talents through inviting them to perform on the stage of our “Happy Chinese New Year” Temple Fair and other big cultural events. This time, the cooperation between the Chinese Embassy and FC F UBLB in co-hosting “ Chinese Ambassador Cup ” Table Tennis Tournament is another testimony of this effort.
The Cultural Counsellors appreciated the Executive Chairman of UBEB, Mr Alhassan Sulw and his team for the support and effort in the success of the event.
In his remark, the Acting Executive Chairman, Mr Sule who appreciated Chinese Embassy for the opportunity provided the students to showcase their talent, promised to strengthen the ties and friendship between China and Nigeria for more collaboration.
Winners of the tournament include Musa Mahmud of JSS Jabi, Lucky Okafor of JSS Goza with 1st position and cash prizes of N,50, 000 each, Toafiq Abdulrazak of JSS Zuba, Christiana Onyechere of JSS Jabi came second with cash prize of N40, 000 each and Ismail Sani of JSS Goza, Igwe Esther of JSS Jabi1 cmae 3d with cash prize of N30, 000 each.
