Sports
Association Explains Weekly Tennis Championships
The Ondo State Table Ten
nis Association has said that its “Every Saturday Championship’’ was purposely to prepare players ahead of national and international competitions.
The Head Coach of the association, Dotun Omoniyi, told newsmen that the weekly championship was also to constantly evaluate the players.
“The essence is to know how prepared the players are whenever they are needed for both national and international assignments.
“We are encouraging the sport at the grassroots by ensuring that there is a championship every Saturday in the state.
“They go to school Monday to Friday and train after school; we do not want the training to be in vain before any national competition comes up.
“The championship is like a pre-requisite to check the fitness and composition level of the state’s team.
“We are not waiting for competitions to approach before preparing.’’
According to him, cash prize attached to the weekly programme also makes it even more competitive.
“The cash prize of N20, 000, N15,000 and N7,500 for the first three winners boys and girls each is just to encourage the players.
“The cash prize is also to further enhance their interest in the sport,’’ he said.
Omoniyi noted that the state was currently dominating in table tennis and that it did not intend dropping the pace it was moving.
He said that Onaolapo Ojo of Ondo State, emerged champion at the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) Pilot League, held in March at the National Stadium, Lagos.
He added that the boys’ singles finalists at the Toyin Okenla-Ojeaga Championships, also held in March in Lagos were from Ondo State.
“Amadi Umeh defeated Sunday Akomolafe at the final.
“Practice makes perfect and constant engagement is the way forward for table tennis,’’ Omoniyi said.
Omoniyi was part of the NTTF contingent to the just-concluded Africa Junior/Cadet Championships and Junior Olympic Qualification Series, held in Cairo, Egypt.
In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.
NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.
The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.
Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.
The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.
The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.
