Hello there,

I'm planning to start a commercial table tennis league for semi-professional players and spectators in my town.

1) Will it succeed? Can you imagine yourself or your friends paying to watch table tennis league matches?

2) Are you a good table tennis player? Can you imagine yourself playing serious table tennis every week?

3) Are you a sports professional? Do you have any tips or words of advice for me? Any contacts I will need?

Please share your thoughts on this table tennis venture of mine. Thanks in advance for your replies.

I don't see why it shouldn't succeed. Did you see how good Nigerians where in the 2002 Commonwealth games? I've never seen such talent. I even play table tennis myslef and it's a great sport.

If you want to make it a reality, you should consider buying a set of Table Tennis Tables, Table tennis paddles, Balls.

It will succeed as a venture but im not too sure about the profit side.I play table tennis and its very wonderful.Its better to start it out for free first and watch peoples reaction to it.

First of all, you should be optimistic about it. Although I don't think it will be profitable for now, but bigger competitions started in lesser ways and you will be able to give people an oportunity to show their talents and wsork on their skills while doing what they enjoy doing.

Few people wants to start anything for fun now, its better to look for prize money that league winners and the runners-up will take home, as well as try and raise a board for the league.

Sample out the feelings of Tennis Association on such proposal, this will allow you to prepare for dream snatchers.

You will be amazed the money involved, also you need to love the game above the money you'll make for you to succeed.

Thanks, guys, for your comments and encouragement. It seems as if most people don't care about table tennis.

I think you should go ahead with the initiative, I mean when I was living in Ibadan a lot of youths played Table Tennis on wooden benches. commencing this initiative would mean that a lot of people can participate in an event that has proper facilities.

Seun:

It seems as if most people don't care about table tennis.

hmmmmm not has much has football

I chose table tennis based on the fact that it's supposed to be the second most popular sport in Nigeria (after football) and also because it can be as interesting as lawn tennis under the proper conditions.

However, chess, which is far more boring, seems to be the second most popular sport on Nairaland.

My greatest challenge is getting a suitable indoor location for the weekly matches. I need an agent (could be you).

Do you plan to Buy the Table tennis tables ready to go, or are you going assemble them?
My next door neighbour bought pieces for his Table and assembled them, but it took him a while though.
It'll probably be less time consuming to just by them ready to go, or are you thinking of renting?

Do you plan to Buy the Table tennis tables ready to go, or are you going assemble them?

Definitely, I'm willing to buy or construct the table, but I need an agent to help me find where they sell it.
There's a carpenter who says he can construct a tennis table for 15,000 naira. I'm not fully convinced it will be ok.

Well you know Nigerian carpenters, some are surprisingly wordclass others just fit the stereotype.

Yeah. But what I can't seem to get is a good indoor location with lots of playing space and seating space.

Secret: For a game of table tennis to be entertaining, there must be lots of space around the table. When you have that space and players learn to use it, the resulting game is as exciting and athletic as lawn tennis!

I have found a number of locations in my town with enough space for practicing table tennis, but in order to exhibit a table tennis match before more than a hundred spectators, I need to construct "bleachers". Something like this:


If you happen to be a pro at table tennis, or a table tennis coach, please contact me: I'm not a player at this time!

blasterman:

It will succeed as a venture but im not too sure about the profit side. I play table tennis and its very wonderful. It's better to start it out for free first and watch peoples reaction to it.

That's exactly what I'll do. For now, I'll concentrate on the recruitment and training of talented and marketable table tennis players. When the players are ready, I'll launch the league and attempt to commercialize it. At the beginning, I will make it free to watch but reserve the best seats for those who are willing to pay.

IDERAWOLE:

Few people wants to start anything for fun now, its better to look for prize money that league winners and the runners-up will take home,

Do you think a cash prize of 50,000 naira will be enough to motivate players to compete semi-professionally?

as well as try and raise a board for the league.

I'm not so sure about that. I prefer to put one person in charge of the league and run it as a priavate business.

Sample out the feelings of Tennis Association on such proposal, this will allow you to prepare for dream snatchers.

I'll be introducing some innovations that they can't copy due to their desire to follow ITTF rules.

You will be amazed the money involved.

I really don't want money from sponsors. I prefer to make money the old fashioned way: by selling tickets to fans!

also you need to love the game above the money you'll make for you to succeed.

Nice point. Well, I think I'm starting to love the game. It's interesting to watch if the players have lots of space.

It will succed if u are really putting interest in it.

there are many Nigeria who are finding such opportunity to show case their talent, and some who are looking for such avenue in improving their skill.

* You have to make it lucrative for people and sponsors to have interest in it.

* You have to register it under the appropiate tennis body in that Area, so that it can be use in rating players in Nigeria

* You have to make it a professional tennis league.

And thirdly you have to make sure you have enough capital to start, before sponsors will be trooping in.

This will make players to register, so that they can get their rating before they advance to greater challenges like the Governors Cup, The Ogbe hard Court and so on.

I wish you all the best Seun, I am of the opinion that it is worth trying. However, you need to take a glimpse at the Table Tennis Association, find out what is on the ground as regard such venture you are proposing. Find out if such a thing had been in existence in the past, if it had been, why it was not popular. Find out what is happening in other sporting of the same calibre who are organisng such league. I know of Basketball, there is also some league going on for them, probably the same with Volleyball. Get closer to those who are in the sports ministry, and they will let you into what it takes to organise such a thing, bearing in mind the Nigerian factor. Goodluck and best wishes.

danniecool:

It will succeed if you are really putting interest in it.

Thanks!

there are many Nigeria who are finding such opportunity to show case their talent,
and some who are looking for such avenue in improving their skill.

I see sports as a form of entertainment and players as performers. That's the major talent I'm seeking!

* You have to make it lucrative for people and sponsors to have interest in it.

I hope you're wrong, because I really want to sponsor my next business myself!

* You have to register it under the appropiate tennis body in that Area, so that it can be use in rating players in Nigeria

I hope you're wrong, because I wish not to be burdened by the politics in the world of sports, especially Nigeria.

* You have to make it a professional tennis league.

But why can't sports just be fun? I feel a semi-professional league is more cost-effective (less mouths to feed!)

And thirdly you have to make sure you have enough capital to start, before sponsors will be trooping in.

I have some capital, but it is indeed small compared to what the average sports administrator gets to spend.

This will make players to register, so that they can get their rating before they advance to greater challenges like the Governors Cup, The Ogbe hard Court and so on.

If I'm wrong, I will eventually be corrected, but I wish to build a private world of amateur/semipro table tennis with special rules to make this league the most cost-effective and sustainable sports event in my town! I don't want to have any dealings with the ITTF or local bodies, because I'm a small businessman and not a politician or coach!

Guys, hope I can keep reading your posts so that I can be corrected in areas where I might be making a mistake?

Keep us informed aabout the progress, I may duplicate the same in Atlanta.

I think it's a good idea. Personally believe you can raise the profile of whatever venture one undertakes. But now that you've advertised your idea, I suggest you go for it before someone else grabs it and takes it to town.

Its not profitable.

hello seun,
i read yur post, and i think its something worth exploring. i am actually thinking of doing something with regards to table tennis in Nigeria more on the equipments sales aspect. i have a manufacturer that can supply nigeria with world class table tennis rubbers, blades, glue, 40mm balls and gear .
if ur still interested contact me via email at stigainnova@yahoo.com the name is olu

Seun,

3 years gone by, how far has you fared in this your proposed venture?

Let us learn from your experience now?

Biko, how did it all went?

Pls share ur experience with us here!

I think you've got a good idea Seun but don't let excitement and emotions cloud your judgment. If you intend to do this as a non profit stuff, then go ahead with it. But if you intend it to be a business, then don't be in a haste to start. First do a preliminary feasibility study and draw up a business plan. Analyze the opportunity, capital and the risk involved. Are you going to need competition sponsors or you intend to do it alone? What is the profit potential and source of income for you? Are you going to sell forms or rely on funds from sponsors and investors? Do you need to register your competition or obtain a license? Can you attract the government officials or corporate organizations to your competition? It will give your competition more credibility and publicity. Please make sure you trash out all these questions before investing a dime. I wish you the best of luck.

I love this, table tennis is far more complex and can't be commercialised this way. It's been 10 years now and it's obvious you haven't done much about this beautiful idea of yours. Please I will appreciate it if you can tell me what you have learnt so far regarding this journey and why it seems not to be yielding results. Thank you sir

Seun:
Hello there,

I'm planning to start a commercial table tennis league for semi-professional players and spectators in my town.

1) Will it succeed? Can you imagine yourself or your friends paying to watch table tennis league matches?

2) Are you a good table tennis player? Can you imagine yourself playing serious table tennis every week?

3) Are you a sports professional? Do you have any tips or words of advice for me? Any contacts I will need?

Please share your thoughts on this table tennis venture of mine. Thanks in advance for your replies.

Did you ever go through with this plan Seun? Table tennis lover here