NAN-S-9
T/tennis
By Oluwaseyi Oduneye
Lagos, Feb. 20, 2017 (NAN) Adesoji Tayo, one of the three sponsors of the monthly National Invitational Table Tennis Tournament, says the essence of the competition is to groom young talented players.
Tayo, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the end of tournament on Monday in Lagos, said the dearth of table tennis competitions in the country motivated them to sponsor the tournament.
He said that many of the players embarked on training without participating in competitions to exhibit skills acquired and evaluate their progress.
“There are so many untapped talents with skills that need mentoring and regular competitions to excel.
“In the past, there were several table tennis competitions such as Bournvita, Coscharis and many others but right now, it’s only the Asoju Oba that still exists.
“The absence of these competitions is telling on our players and it won’t do them any good. These competitions put Nigeria in the forefront in table tennis in Africa.
“This development is worrisome and we need to buckle up and devise methods that will revive table tennis,’’ he said.
Tayo, who is a member of Ibadan Recreation Club, said state of table tennis in the nation made him and two of his friends to come up with the monthly tournament.
“The three of us are table tennis lovers and we actually play in our various clubs. Growing up, all areas used to have table tennis boards to train with and that’s not so any longer.
“We decide to host it monthly to ensure that players’ skills are sharpened and that table tennis doesn’t die.
“We are using the Country Club, Ikeja because its facilities are of international standards for players to get used to,’’ he said.
He added that before now, at the African meets, Nigeria used to clinch almost all medals but now things were not the same.
“Now, we struggle for medals with countries who were nowhere to be found when we were dominating in the sport.
“We see Nigerian players going to seek for clubs and even naturalise in other African countries because of dearth of competitions that saddens me.
“The main focus of the tournament is on the younger ones, we are more passionate about catching those young and grooming to stardom.
“The younger ones are the future stars and we need to encourage them because catching them early is essential and pivotal to greatness,’’ he said.
The member of the Country Club, however, urged cooperate organisations and individuals to take a cue from them.
“Ikoyi club is already taking a cue from us and considering organising an U-16 competition for players.
“I am very happy about this and I hope that soon we would have more than enough competitions to engage players,’’ Tayo said. (NAN) SEY/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)