The newly built Idera Multi-Purpose Hall in Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State, came alive during the finale of the 6th Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Table Tennis Tournament, where Rilwan Akanbi and Bisola Asaju rose to the occasion to claim national titles.
- +New winners emerge at Osun national table tennis tourney
Akanbi’s path to victory was paved with grit.
Akanbi’s path to victory was paved with grit. He dethroned defending champion Abdulbasit Abdulfatai in the semi-finals before overpowering Wasiu Azeez 4–2 in the men’s singles final.
Asaju, meanwhile, seized her moment in the women’s singles, defeating Favour Ojo 4–2 to clinch the title. Her triumph followed the shock early exit of reigning champion Hope Udoaka in the round of 16, signalling a shift in the women’s game.
The junior categories provided their own drama. In the girls’ U-15 final, Chinenye Okafor swept past debutant Deborah Festus 3–0. However, Festus captured attention with her fearless run to the final in her first national outing, earning praise from NTTF President Adesoji Tayo, who lauded her courage against more experienced opponents.
In the boys’ event, Umar Ayoola was dominant, dispatching Abdulateef Abdulsalam 3–0 to secure the U-15 title.
The closing ceremony had a celebratory atmosphere. Nigeria Olympic Committee Secretary-General Tunde Popoola commended Ayodeji Alabi, chairman of the Osun State Table Tennis Association, for his commitment to sustaining the tournament.
He also urged athletes to use the competition as a springboard toward national team selection by sharpening their skills against top competitors in the country.
For five days, more than 200 players from across Nigeria competed for supremacy and a share of the ₦5m prize pool—an increase from last year’s ₦3.5m.
The tournament, staged under the auspices of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and supported by the Michael and Felicia Alabi Foundation, has steadily grown into one of the country’s most prestigious fixtures.
This year’s edition also paid tribute to a stalwart of the sport. Nigeria’s oldest international umpire, John Peters, who recently turned 80, was specially recognised. Despite his age, Peters remains active at major competitions nationwide—a testament to his enduring passion for the game.
