Lagos – Young and upcoming players may not need to go abroad for training over a lack of standard equipment as the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has now acquired a robot training machine.

Segun Oguntade, NTTF Secretary, on Tuesday said in Lagos that the robot machine was a programmed machine used in training players.

The machine spins and feeds balls to players at various intensities with the purpose of improving their speed and accuracy.

Oguntade said the robotic machine was a welcome development to the game, being a vital machine widely used for training in Europe.

“I am sure that young and upcoming players respond to the programmed machine. It will bring in a lot of improvements to their skills and help them to grow accordingly,’’ he said.

The secretary disclosed that the machine, which was purchased by the NTTF/Para Table Tennis national coach, Nosiru Bello, would be in use in the Knock-up Hall, National Stadium.

According to him, the federation has organised a series of programmes that will be open to already discovered talents from previous national championships, stressing, “the opportunity is open to young talents.

“The idea of discovering talents and leaving them to develop on their own has gone as the national coach has vowed to help our young players to develop their talents,’’ he said. (NAN)