African Table Tennis players in Diaspora tournament: Sponsors, organisers get huge praises as Kuti retains title

African Table Tennis players in Diaspora tournament:
Sponsors, organisers get huge praises as Kuti retains title

The African Table Tennis Players in Diaspora Invitational Tournament ended recently in Abeokuta with huge praises to the organisers and sponsors of the tournament.

A total of 25 budding ping pongers were in the ancient city between December 27th and 29th to compete keenly for honours at the Alake Sports Complex, Ijeja with massive fans turning up to see the young ones exhibit their skills.

A former national player and coach, Mr Waheed Ekun, who was one of the Special guests at the final travelled from Ibadan, Oyo State to witness the final in Abeokuta.

Eku said he was particularly happy that the tournament showed that Nigeria is blessed with many talents that will be of help in the future for the senior national team.

Ekun said: “I came from Ibadan because I saw the event last year and decided to witness it again. I am happy with the standard and I thank the sponsors and organisers for creating good template for the players to show their talents.”

Hon. Allen-Taylor Oluwafemi Wilfred, a senior Legislative Aide to Senate President, and other stakeholders present also showered praises on the sponsors and organisers of the tournament.

In the final, defending champion, Mattew Kuti, defeated Basit Abdulfatai 4-1 in a keenly contested match which kept fans at the edge their seats despite final score.

One of the sponsors, the players in diaspora, Mr. Charles Olayinka, said he was elated with the skills exhibited by the young ones which he saw on live stream.

“For us watching the live streaming and seeing smiles on the faces of the players. It gives us joy to do more but we call on corporate bodies to parter with us to take this event to the next level,” Olayinka said.

Coordinator of the tournament, Wale Ajetunmobi, said he was impressed with standard exhibited by the players.

“What we saw was like a national or continental standard and it is evident with the champion who is a West African Champion. It was a delight to see the level of keen contest by these players and I want to thank the sponsors for their consistency,” he said.