Sodiq Adesanya, Anuoluwapo Ajuwon and Jamiu Ayanwale on Saturday won the Cadet Category, Women’s Singles and Men’s Singles in Reis Table Tennis Foundation Tournament in Lagos.
The three-day tournament took place at the Eko Club Table Tennis Hall, Surulere Lagos.
Olaseni Reis , Chairman of the foundation, said at the event that five players had been selected to be trained by the foundation.
He added that the players would be sent to a table tennis academy for proper training.
“ After the maiden edition was organised, I decide to continue with the tournament and make it a bigger one.
“The five players that have been adopted from this tournament would be given kits worth N250,000 yearly.
“ These five players will also be handed over to Aruna Table Tennis Academy to be trained adequately and also would be sponsoring them to tournaments.
“The foundation will also organise tournaments for the junior category at least twice in a year,” he said.
He said that a trustee board would be initiated to ensure that money generated from the foundation would not be converted to personal use.
“The tournament was initially organised by my company but when I saw the way it was going I decide to take over.
“I made it a foundation and all proceeds that comes in stays within the foundation.
“The foundation is a non-governmental organisation and you cannot use the money for personal use,” he said.
Bambo Badejo, a veteran said that he was glad to have won the event.
He noted that the development was a good one, especially for veterans that had retired from playing table tennis.
“ I am thankful to the organisers of this even, because while we were playing l am sure the junior ones are learning one or two things that we cannot explain to them verbally,” he said.
Anuoluwapo Ajuwon expressed excitement that she won the Women’s category.
She promised to put in her best to ensure she did not disappoint the foundation.
‘I will train very hard to ensure that I come out top in any tournament I’m sent to,” she said.
In the Cadet Category, Sodiq Adesanya defeated Hussien Adeboye 3-2 (10-12, 11-1, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6) while in the Women’s Singles, Ajuwon defeated Bisola Asaju 4-2 (6-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-7, 12-14, 11-7).
In the Men’s Singles Jamiu Ayanwale defeated Hammed Bello 4-3(11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 11-4, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9) while Bambo Badejo defeated Abayomi Oyerinde to win the veteran category. (NAN)
