Hussein, Ize Claim Titles at 5th Efunkoya National Cadet T’tennis Championships

The 5th Dr Adegboyega Ekunkoya National Cadet Table Tennis Championships produced new winners with Faruq Hussien of Kwara and Sezuo Ize of Kogi emerging as champions at the weekend in Lagos.

However, table tennis stakeholders across the country have lauded the championships describing it as another platform to unearth talents for the country.

The highly successful tournament, organized by the Efunkoya Table Tennis Foundation in collaboration with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) aimed to produce future stars that will replace ageing players in the national teams.

To claim the boys’ singles title, number two seed, Hussein started his campaign from the group stage where he was unbeaten in all his matches and defeated Yusuf Solomon of Aruna Sports Club 3-1 (11- 7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-30 to be crowned the new champion.

Unlike Hussein, Ize played her best in the semifinal when she edged out former champion Aishat Rabiu of Lagos and completed her dominance in the final when she thrashed Chineye Okafor of Abia State 3-0 (13-11, 12-10, 13-11) to win her maiden national title.

For their efforts, Hussein and Ize were awarded educational scholarships as well as brand-new laptops by the Efunkoya Foundation while other winners in the doubles and mixed doubles got cash prizes for their victories.

Awards like the youngest player, most behaved player, youngest players, the most improved player as well as Most Valuable Players were given to winners by the organisers.

For the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, the tournament has thrown up new stars. He, however, called for more tournaments to sharpen the skills of the players as well as expose them to international tournaments.

The event is staged annually by Ekunkoya Table Tennis Foundation to honour the memory of the former Chairman of the Nigeria Table Tennis Association chairman, Dr Adegboyega Efunkoya, whose administration was regarded as the glorious days of table tennis in Nigeria, while the tournament was designed to promote the sport and raise future stars.
Over 120 players drawn from 17 states and 20 clubs competed for honours in five events. This year’s edition started with a two-day coaching clinic to prepare the youngsters for the three-day championships.