NAN-S-2
Table tennis
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Nov. 23, 2017 (NAN) Twelve titles will be at stake at the 49th edition of the annual Asoju Oba Table Tennis Cup Competition scheduled to hold in Lagos from Monday to Dec. 1.
Deji Okoya-Thomas, son of the competition’s late sponsor, said players would compete in the three categories of cadet, intermediate and senior at the event which is now the longest-running Nigerian championship.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championship is scheduled to hold at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Molade Okoya-Thomas Sports Complex at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Okoya-Thomas said the wish of his late father while alive was that the family should continue the sponsorship of the tournament after his demise.
“Now, this is the third edition of the tournament where the competition’s initiator and sole sponsor would not be addressing the press himself.
“This is the third year running since he was called to glory. So, this year 12 titles will be at stake.
“And, in line with the tradition of the championship, there will be cash and material prizes for the most valuable players in both the male and female categories,’’ he said.
Okoya-Thomas disclosed that plans were already on to organise the 50th edition of the championship in a grand style.
“More efforts will be put in place to ensure that the 50th edition is remarkable and special for the family,’’ he said.
Deji Tinubu, an aide to Gov. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State on Sports, commended the Okoya-Thomas family for keeping up with the sponsorship of the competition.
Tinubu said the championship remains the biggest and most respected competition in the country.
“This competition has given birth to good things, ranging from players to coaches as far as table tennis is concerned.
“Most of our past and present players are products of this prestigious tournament and the Lagos State Government is proud of the legacy of the late Okoya-Thomas a worthy son of the state.
“We will continue to support the family in our own little ways as they continue to uphold the championship,’’ he said.
Also, Kweku Tandoh, the Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, said the contributions of the late philanthropist to sports development in Lagos state and Nigeria at large were enormous.
He urged young players and other participants to leverage on the competition to showcase their talents.
NAN reports that two new trophies were presented to the competition’s organisers by the family for this year’s edition.
The initiator of the tournament, the late Molade Okoya-Thomas, died in 2015 at the age of 79 in Lagos.(NAN)
KOA/DEB/OLAL
===============
(Edited by Debo Oshundun and Olawale Alabi)