Former African table tennis champion, Kasali Lasisi has stressed the need to develop the game of table tennis and expose players of the game to modern techniques has again been re-emphasised.

A seasoned table tennis icon, coach Kasali Lasisi stated this while featuring on a Radio Kwara interactive programme, "The Platform".

Coach Kasali who was the first Nigerian to win the African men's singles title in 1976 expressed dismay at the poor level of commitment and performance of Nigeria's table tennis players at the international level.

He noted that players in recent times are only concerned about the monetary gains that could be derived from the game, a situation which he explained was contrary to how the game was played for prestige in the past.

Commenting on the Kasali Lasisi international tennis academy, the former national team coach of Congo Democratic Republic explained that the academy was set up with a view to developing the game of table tennis and bring up a new generation of players who would be able to compete favourably with others both locally and at the international level.

He noted that the academy which is temporarily situated inside the indoor sport of Kwara state stadium complex is targeted at interested players right from the cradle and veterans.

The coach also reiterated the academy's commitment to continue to collaborate with the Kwara state table tennis association and the Nigeria table tennis federation for the development of the game in the state.

He urged concerned organisations to also support the success of the academy.

Callers on the programme commended the coach and appealed for concerted efforts from concerned organisations to further develop the game of table tennis in the state and the country.