Lagos, May 10 (IANS): The Nigerian Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) is looking to replace its aging stars by scouting for talent at the grassroots.

NTTF vice president Orok Otu Duke told reporters here that the federation would detail its coaches to set about the task of grooming new players for the country, reports Xinhua.

Duke complained that the country's pool of players was drying up, and stressed that there was need to quickly find new and talented replacements.

"The pool of players is drying up, Toriola, Maba and Funke are aging and they will soon retire and there is need for us to discover new players, otherwise we will soon disappear from the map and when Egypt is taking over, we will be nowhere," he said.

Duke asked the coaches to be fair in their selection process.

"For you to be a good coach you don't need to bear grudges against players, you cannot hate a player to a point that you will not invite the player to the national camp," he said.