It was a gallant display of skills and dexterity at the grand finale of 2nd edition of the Senator Abiru mixed Team Table Tennis Championship (2.0) held at the indoor Hall of Molade Okoya-Thomas Multi-Purpose Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The epic event featuring 30 teams across the country which also attracted the neighbouring west African countries comprising Togo and Republic of Benin was bankrolled by the distinguished Senator representing Lagos East senatorial district and the co-founder of SAIL Empowerment Foundation, Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, (FCA) witnessed a classic performances from Oyo State who against all odds clearly outclassed the bookmakers’ favourite teams from Lagos, Edo and Kwara states.
The unrelenting efforts of unseeded team Oyo and Bayelsa upturned and defied the bookmakers’ odds when the two teams met in the grand finale.
The fantastic twosome from team Oyo, Wasiu Azeez and Halima Hussein mustered a super courage to overwhelm Bayelsa team who have been on the victory lane.
In the epic final encounter watched by the sponsor, Senator Tokunbo Abiru and his wife, Feyisola. Team Oyo blazed the trail by taking the early lead of winning the mixed doubles, but Hope Udoaka of Bayelsa leveled the score. Oyo point man, Azeez pulled another surprise when he overturned the 1-0 lead to defeat Samuel Boboye 3-1.
In similar vein, Halima Hussein in partnership with Khadijat Okanlawon, sank the hope of pair of Hope Udoaka and iyanuoluwa Falana thus securing a sweet victory for Oyo state team.
In the third place match, favourite seeded team, Kwara state asserted their supremacy over the state of Excellence, Lagos team 2, after their initial semi final loss with 3-0 emphatic victory, thereby clinching bronze medal at the #5.5 million prize money event.
The highly elated Sponsor, Senator Tokunbo Abiru in his remarks at the closing ceremony commended all the participants for their skills and spirits of sportsmanship.
Said he, “l want to express my profound gratitude and deep pride on the success recorded during this beautiful tournament which is a testament to the power of sports, inclusiveness and excellence”. Speaking further, Abiru added that when the right atmosphere is created for the youths, talent therefore flourishes, friendship blossoms and excellence thrives.
” Throughout the championship, we witnessed an abundant, talents, passion, skills and sportsmanship. Our athletes from across Nigeria and other parts of Africa reminded us of the beauty of competition and the unity that sports can Forster” he said.
The amiable Senator in partnership with his delectable wife, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, introduced the competition via the SAIL Empowerment Foundation to empower youths in order to use sports as a veritable tool for social impact and cohesion.
The foundation’s broader mission is to nurture talents across technology, entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Senator commended all the players for their dedication, displaying of unprecedented skills and spirits of sportsmanship, adding that every participant, medalist or not, was a champion in their own right. He also congratulated the winners for their hard work and discipline, encouraging others to keep striving for excellence rather than losing hope.
Acknowledging the support of key partners and officials, Senator Abiru extended special appreciation to Barrister Waheed Enitan Oshodi, President ITTF Africa, ; Dr. Kweku Tandoh, ITTF Africa Chief Operating Officer; Mr. Ferdinard Sounou, ITTF Africa Regional Vice President (West); Dr. Adesoji Tayo, President of the Nigerian Table Tennis Federation (NTTF); and Mr. Deji Abisola, Chief Impact Officer of the SAIL Empowerment Foundation.
“Your collective efforts have made this tournament not only successful but memorable,” he complimented.
Abiru also thanked the residents of Lagos East senatorial district and all guests generally for their patience and enthusiastic support. The Senator revealed plans to make the next edition bigger, better, and more competitive.
The Chief Impact Officer, SAIL Empowerment Foundation, Mr. Deji Abisola, in his interview with newsmen, reiterated that the Foundation remained focus in its onerous task of creating befitting platforms for sports, technology and entrepreneurship to blossom in addition to harness the creativity and the potentials of youths in Lagos.