Ogundele, Adeniyi Clinch Asoju-Oba Cup

Rasheedat Ogundele and Kazeem Adeniyi emerged winners of the women’s and men’s singles finals of the 42nd Asoju-Oba Table Tennis Championships respectively.

Ogundele of Union Bank Table Tennis Club, Lagos proved her mettle by defeating her clubmate, Ganiat Olatunde 4-3.

Women’s singles defending champion, Atinuke Olaide lost to Ogundele in the semi-final cracker, while Gbenga Anthony, men’s single’s defending champion was not released by his Portugal club to defend his title.

Triumphant Ogundele told journalist after the game that she was elated to have defeated Olatunde who was skillful, noting that she gave glory to God who saw her through.

“I am happy that I emerged the winner of this year’s edition, it was a long time target though the game was tough but I guess I was more experienced,” she said.

Meanwhile, Olatunde who admitted that she lost to a better player also blamed fatigue and the poor lighting of the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, venue of the competition.

Adeniyi, winner of the Men’s singles also said it was his passion, dedication and hard work that was responsible for his victory and noted that the game was tough and interesting.

“I saw my opponent’s weakness, I made sure I used his weakness against him and I will also work on my service to make me the best player,” he said.

In the Cadet Boys Singles, Qudus Surmer of Summer Table Tennis Club defeated Nurudeen Hassan of Deenstar Club 2-1.

Alimot Ayinla of Deenstar Table Tennis Club beat clubmate Isiwat Willougby 2-0 in the Cadet Girls Singles.

Surmer lost to clubmate Quadri Quazeem 3-4 in the Junior Boys Singles.

In the Junior Girls Singles Bose Odusanya of Sports Horizon defeated Ayisat Almoroof of Deenstar 4-0.

The Women’s and Men’s Singles winners were given N40, 000 each with a plasma TV and refrigerators respectively, while the runners up were given N20,000 each and trophies.

The competition which was played between the 13th and 17th of this month recorded 250 participants in 17 categories.