As part of activities marking this year’s World Table Tennis Day, Ping Pong Africa has trained more than 50 primary school pupils in Lagos, introducing them to the fundamentals of table tennis and promoting the benefits of the sport among young learners.
The training programme, held at Wright Memorial Primary School and Wesley Memorial Primary School in Somolu, Lagos, featured practical sessions on bat handling, ball control, coordination and other essential table tennis techniques.
The exercise was facilitated by the Ping Pong Africa team led by its founder, Hamzat Kudus, who emphasized the importance of exposing children to sports at an early age.
According to Kudus, table tennis remains one of the most effective sports for improving both the physical and mental well-being of young people.
“Table tennis is very important because it helps improve the health of students. Beyond physical fitness, it enhances cognitive development and helps students think faster and make quick decisions,” he said.
The sports development advocate noted that World Table Tennis Day provides an opportunity to encourage greater participation in the sport while creating awareness about its educational and health benefits.
Kudus also expressed appreciation to Summer Table Tennis Club for partnering with Ping Pong Africa to make the programme a success, while thanking the management and head teachers of the participating schools for their support and commitment to youth development.
The initiative forms part of Ping Pong Africa’s broader mission to grow table tennis at the grassroots level by providing young Nigerians with access to quality coaching, mentorship and sporting opportunities.
Students who participated in the programme were introduced to the basic principles of the game and engaged in interactive sessions designed to improve their coordination, concentration and confidence.