Funke Oshonaike Bags Somolu Newspaper ‘Sports Amazon Of The Year’ Award

It was a honour well deserved for Nigeria legendary female Table Tennis player and Olympian, Funke Oshonaike as she bagged Somolu Newspaper ‘Sports Amazon of the Year’ award on Saturday 28th May 2022. 

According to the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of the outfit, Mr Sheriff Owolabi Bada who congratulated her for her exemplary leadership style, stating that the player has not only done the community proud but Lagos, Nigeria and Africa at large, noting that she deserves every accolades that comes her way. 

“There’s no gainsaying about the fact that the sensational table tennis kid who started her sporting career three decades ago from Somolu community deserves to be appreciated and celebrated having been doing us proud home and abroad and we are very proud of her achievement.” 

“And for someone to have put in all her best in projecting the image of her community and country positively, I think such person deserves every accolade that comes her way,” he stated. 

Speaking to the media men shortly after the presentation of the award, the elated Funke, who came fifth in the Women Veteran category at the 2022 African Table Tennis Festival hosted in Lagos-Nigeria, applauded Somolu Newspaper for the wonderful job and for counting her worthy as one of the personalities for the awards. 

“I’m so happy for being counted worthy for the award and I will continue to put in my best which is as a result of my contribution to the game of Table Tennis. No doubt about the fact that this award will ginger me to do more especially in the area of helping the younger ones achieve their dream goal. 

“I remember growing up playing Table Tennis, my father had to borrow money to buy my first racket. I’m happy I did not disappoint him, I’m happy I’m doing my community and country proud and I’m also happy that I’m giving back to the society through Funke Oshonaike Foundation,” she opined.

 Meanwhile, Funke in her usual manner gave out  training materials to the younger ones through her foundation (Funke Oshonaike Foundation) which she sees as a way of giving back to the society that made her who she is and as well go a long way in bringing out the best out of them. 

The Olympic Hall of Fame protege, however, has promised to extend her foundation to her root; Somolu community as a way of helping the younger generation of Table Tennis players achieve their dream goal.