Sports
2018 ITTF Nigeria Open: Attendance Excites Loc Chairman
The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the ongoing 2018 Seamaster ITTF Challenge Nigeria Open, Wahid Enitan-Oshodi, last Saturday said fans at the venue were a special breed.
Enitan-Oshodi made the assertion at a Media Parley held in the Conference Room of the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, venue of the competition.
The former President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) said that the number of fans for the annual competition had increased tremendously over the years.
“Since the inception of this event in 2013, the competition has attracted large turnout yearly.
“Lagos fans are special breed and they have demonstrated their love and support for this event with their presence.
“If it continues this way, this place will be too small for spectators in the next few year,” he said.
The LOC Chairman added that plans would be made to get a bigger venue for the event to accommodate the teeming fans.
On sponsorship and viwership, Enitan-Oshodi said both aspects had helped the competition to garner more recognition globally.
“As you can see, this year, we have the Chinese participating for the first time and it can only get better.
“Our sponsors have been wonderful and the support from the Lagos State Government has been a bedrock for this event,” he said.
The former Lagos State Commissioner for Sports added that the prize money for the 2019 edition would be increased to 60,000 dollars to attract more highly ranked players in the sport.
Tidesports source reports that a total of 169 players, comprising 101 males and 68 females from 27 countries, are taking part in the 46,000 dollars prize money event.
The competition, which started on Aug. 8, will end on Sunday at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun, 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.
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