Femi Solaja
It was a gathering of future stars as the duo of Tobi Adebakin and Kehinde Akanbi on Sunday night emerged as the champions of boys and girls categories respectively.
“I am delighted to have won this tournament and I hoped to use it as a stepping stone in my career. Although I have won some tournaments in the past, I see this feat today as the major one because it is my first experience in any official table tennis competition,” Boy’s cadet champion, Adebakin disclosed at the presentation.
The one-day tournament is aimed at unearthing talents as well as part of the Quadri Aruna’s contribution to table tennis in Nigeria.
The tournament sponsored and organised by Aruna Sports Club and Academy in conjunction with Eko Club is also part of Africa’s highest-ranked player’s commitment to the development of the sport at the grassroots level.
“Over the years, Nigeria had always produced a new star in table tennis almost after every decade when you look at the likes of Atanda Musa/Yomi Bankole era after which Segun Toriola/ Funke Oshonaike took over the dominance and today is all about Aruna Quadri.
“Why must we wait for such a long time when we can actually produce new star within the space of four to five years. A project like this will help bring out hidden talents from the street and within a short period of time into national limelight,” the African number one player explained after the tournament.
