Sports
Athletes Lauds Table Tennis Sponsor
Players on Friday in
Lagos praised Chief Molade -Okoya Thomas, sponsor of the annual Asoju Oba Table Tennis Cup for continued support to the development of the sport.
The Tidesports source reports that the 46th edition of the competition which served-off on November 24 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, ended on November 28.
In interviews with newsmen, table tennis players commended the sponsor for sustaining the competition.
Ayo Omotara, who was the Eight seeded male player of the competition, said that the annual competition had impacted positively on participants over the years.
“I started playing in this competition at a very tender age, and the competition really helped me to grow in the sport.
“Other players have also benefited,” he said.
Fatima Bello, the woman, who seeded Number Four player at the event, told newsmen that the competition had helped to increase the profile of the sport.
Fatima, who won the mixed double event of the competition alongside Ogunlade Azeez, urged the sponsor not to relent in promoting table tennis.
“God will continue to bless the sponsor of this competition that has enhanced the growth of table tennis in Nigeria,” she said.
Kehinde Borokini, a senior player, urged other philanthropists to emulate Thomas by sponsoring more sports competitions to boost the skills of budding talents.
“This is the longest sponsored table tennis competition in Nigeria; if we have other individuals who can also sponsor competitions regularly, Nigeria will be a force to reckon with in ping pong,” she said.
Meanwhile, Kemi Ajayi, was defeated in two straight sets by Lukmon Ologunro of the Hallmark newspaper at the final of the Sport Writers’ Association of Nigeria event.
A total of 22 titles were to be clinched in the competition.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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