Sports
Lagos Wins Oshonaike Table Tennis Championship
Lagos State representatives dominated this year’s edition of Funke Oshonaike Table Tennis Top 16 tournament clinching the first three positions in the boys category.
The final of the tournament saw Azeez Solanke between Jamiu Ayanwale 3-0 (11-4, 11-2, 11-4) to emerge the overall winner while another Lagos boy Augustine Emmanuel took the third position.
The Tidesports source who covered the tournament, reports that both players displayed their skills which kept spectators on the edge
It was also another clean sweep for Lagos State as Nimota Aregbesola, Alimot Ayinla took the first and second positions in the girls category leaving Ondo’s entry, Agnes Onoja, to take the third spot.
Speaking to newsmen after the match Aregbesola attributed her success to hard work and remaining focused.
She said that it was not an easy competition right from the group stage.
“ I fought right from the group stage in order to emerge the winner. Every person I played against was equally a tough opponent,” she said.
In the same vein Solanke attributed his success to self confidence and open mind.
Solanke said that he put in his best at all times refused to be distracted.
“ It was a tough competition because the best cadet and junior players were the ones in attendance.
“ We all fought so hard on the table and gave it all our best,” he said.
The first position boys and girls got N50,000 each with table tennis balls,shirts and a crate of egg while the runners up got N30,000 each, shirts, table tennis balls and a crate of egg.
Third place got N15,000 each, shirts, a create of egg and table tennis balls.
Sadia Akeem and Temidayo Ajayi emerged most talented girl and boy players at the competition and got N5,000 each, shirt and a crate of egg.
Tidesports source reports that 28 players participated in the competition made up of 18 males and 10 females.
The tournament was preceded by a clinic on Feb 26 while the competition commenced March 2.
The tournament was held at the Knock-up Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.
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.
-
Business1 day agoNERC Amends Order on Meter Tampering, Power Bypass For Discos
-
News2 days agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business1 day agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Rivers1 day agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare
-
Rivers1 day agoDon, Stakeholders Urge Environmental Laws In N’Delta
-
Business1 day agoNCDMB Signs Mgt Deal With Radisson, Edison…As Board’s 204 Rooms Hotel Open December 2026
-
Rivers1 day agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH
-
News2 days agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers