In sports, trophies tell only part of the story. Behind every champion is often a mentor who identified potential long before the applause began. For many young table tennis players from Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Chief Orok Otu Duke PhD, the representative of Cross River State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has become one of those defining figures
For years, Duke has invested in grassroots table tennis, providing opportunities, encouragement, and support for young athletes whose dreams once seemed distant. Through the Calabar table tennis community and the Canaan Queens Table Tennis Club, he has consistently backed players who have gone on to represent Cross River State and Nigeria on national and international stages.
Among those whose careers have flourished are: Offiong Edem,Janet Effiom , Cecilia Otu, Affiong Agbor,Hope Udoaka, Vivian Oku, and Fatimo Bello., among others. While each athlete has followed a unique path, they share a common thread—steady support from a system that believed in their potential before the spotlight found them.
Cecilia Otu and Offiong Edem remain two of Nigeria's most accomplished female table tennis players, having represented Nigeria in at least seven(7)Olympic Games and eight(8) All Africa Games and five(5) Commonwealth Games.
These athletes have won multiple National, Continental and Commonwealth medals during their distinguished careers.Hope Udoaka has also established herself as a member of Nigeria's national team, contributing to the country's silver medal finish in the women's team event at the 2023 African Games and representing Nigeria at major African competitions. Fatimo Bello has emerged as one of Africa's leading players, winning national titles, qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and earning recognition among Nigeria's highest-ranked female table tennis athletes.
Their development reflects the importance of sustained investment in grassroots sports, where talent is identified, nurtured, and given the platform to grow.
One of the clearest demonstrations of Duke's commitment came during the 2024 African Club Table Tennis Championship in Benghazi, Libya. Rather than limiting his involvement to sponsorship from afar, Duke accompanied the Canaan Queens Table Tennis Club delegation as the Nigerian representatives at the continental championship, emphasising his hands-on approach to sports development.
In 2025, Duke again stood behind his athletes during the African Table Tennis Championships in Tunis, Tunisia, offering encouragement and reinforcing his belief in the players he had helped nurture from the grassroots. His continued presence at major competitions reflects a leadership philosophy that extends beyond sponsorship to active mentorship, ensuring that young talents from Cross River receive both the confidence and exposure needed to compete at the highest level. In 2026, the champions would have featured in Libya but was cancelled because of the US-Isreal-Iran conflict.
For many observers, this distinguishes Duke's style of leadership. Beyond funding competitions or celebrating victories, he has remained closely connected to the athletes, following their progress and providing encouragement as they transition from local competitions to national teams and international championships.
Grassroots sports development demands patience. It requires identifying talent before success becomes obvious, investing in training, creating opportunities for exposure, and maintaining confidence in young athletes through setbacks as well as triumphs. Those who have watched Cross River's table tennis programme evolve argue that this long-term approach has contributed to the emergence of several athletes capable of competing at the highest levels.
Today, whenever the achievements of these players are celebrated, conversations frequently return to the network of coaches, administrators, and supporters who helped shape their journeys. Among those names, Dr. Orok Otu Duke is widely recognised for his commitment to creating opportunities that have enabled many young athletes to pursue excellence.
As Cross River State continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Nigeria's leading centres for table tennis development, the stories of its athletes also serve as a reminder that champions are not produced by talent alone. They are built through mentorship, consistent support, and leaders who see possibilities long before the medals arrive.
Orok Otu Duke PhD
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