Sports
Table Tennis Oshonaike Happy With Young Players’ Zeal
Africa’s most decorated female table tennis player, Funke Oshonaike, yesterday said that she was impressed with the zeal exhibited by the young players at an ongoing table tennis clinics in Lagos.
Oshonaike, who is sponsoring the clinic, told newsmen at the Knock- up Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos that the children were willing to learn.
“They are all eager to play and learn and that’s very encouraging. This zeal in them triggers me to impart more knowledge in them.
“They are all open to corrections and are learning pretty fast. I’m optimistic that at the end of the exercise they will be better table tennis players,’’ said the Olympian.
The six-time Olympian believes the clinic will surely give the players hope that with discipline and hard work, they can reap from their efforts in the sport.
“I believe when top players like us organise such programmes for the young players, they are inspired and motivated to learn from us,’’ she said.
She added that she was responsible for the participants’ accommodation and feeding to make the clinic easy and smooth for them.
Oshonaike also provided branded shirts and perfumes for all the participants.
Tidesports gathered that 17 players from across the states of the federation, consisting of eight girls and nine boys are undergoing the clinic.
Oshonaike is conducting the clinic with the assistance of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) Head Coach, Nasiru Bello, Delta State Coach, Ibrahim Oyelewe and Kwara Coach, Kehinde Aiyelabegan.
The female players are Sukurat Aiyelabegan of Kwara, Ifeoluwa Omotosho of Lagos, Agnes Onoja of Ondo, Iyanuoluwa Falana of Kwara, Rofiat Jimoh of Kwara, Habibat Adeyinka of Oyo, Vivian Oku of Cross River, Kehinde Oyeniyi of Lagos and Grace David of Abuja.
The male players are Michael Obayomi of Lagos, Abayomi Animashaun of Ekiti, Muiz Adegoke of Lagos, Wariz Kagbatolorun of Oyo, Jamiu Ayanwale of Lagos, Taiwo Matti of Ondo, Idrisu Zachari of Kogi, Orok Etim of Cross Rivers and Ibrahim Umar of Kogi.
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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