Sports
Athletes battle for N4m prize as Lagos to host mixed team table tennis tourney
Lagos is set to host Africa’s first Mixed Team Table Tennis Open Championships, a competition sponsored by the SAIL Empowerment Foundation.
The event is a part of the Foundation’s youth empowerment program, an initiative by Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru and his wife, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru.
The tournament will be held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, from October 31 to November 2, 2024.
Teams from Nigeria and other countries are expected to compete in the three-day event, which features a prize pool of N4 million.
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Organized under the auspices of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), the tournament will see at least 16 teams participate, with each mixed team comprising two to three players of each gender.
Tournament Director Adesoji Tayo emphasized the open nature of the event, noting significant interest from teams in Ghana, Togo, and Benin Republic.
“We are thrilled to be the first country to host a Mixed Team tournament in Africa. This demonstrates our leadership on the continent. The support from SAIL Empowerment Foundation highlights the popularity of table tennis and the dedication of the organizing team.
“We are grateful that our sport is attracting more supporters outside the sports industry, thanks to the involvement of SAIL Empowerment Foundation. We anticipate an exciting event based on the feedback from teams and players. This is another step in empowering our youth and engaging them in meaningful sporting activities. We look forward to an explosive event and hope to discover new talents like Quadri Aruna,” Tayo said.
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