It was a royal rumble on Friday at the finals of Somolu Newspaper Under-16 table tennis at Agunbiade table tennis indoor sports hall in Somolu area of Lagos state as the duo of Balkis Surmer of MIM Comprehensive College and Abdul Rasaq Tijani of Oduduwa Junior High School proved the stuff they were made of as they defeated their opponents to win the Girls and Boys singles of the tournament respectively
The two days sporting event which was organised for public schools in Somolu community paraded 80 students from both primary and junior high schools where they wrestled with one another for supremacy.
The hall was filled to its capacity as parents, supporters and table tennis enthusiasts besieged the venue to catch the glimpse of the new generation of young table tennis heroes and heroines.
Organiser and the Publisher of Somolu Newspaper, Mr Sheriff Owolabi Bada revealed that he was delighted to host the event as he reiterated his commitment towards regular development of the youth through grassroots development sporting events especially table tennis which has brought more honours and pride not only to Somolu community but Lagos state, Nigeria and Africa continent as a whole.
He stressed further “Somolu is no doubt the home of table tennis with future champions, a reason this event is being organised to discover world champions.
“Not only that, we have also created a department to monitor the progress of the talents discovered both in their academic as well as their table tennis career for them to achieve goals in life”.
“Let me also remind you that the king and queen of table tennis, Jide Omotayo and Funke Oshonaike are from Somolu. What about their contribution to the national team which cannot be underestimated. 90℅ of the team are Somolites. That alone are records we wish to keep for many years to come”.
However, Bada admonished the players to remain focused and be determined to actualise their dream while he promised to make the next edition an exciting and memorable one.
Among the creme de la creme present at the sporting event included Alhaji Rotimi Adeyinka, the Vice- chairman, Somolu Table Tennis Association, Prince Adeeso Sodiq Director General, Dullar Continua Initiative, Hon. Princess Precious Samiat Bada Vice- chairman, Ikosi-Isheri local Govt and Chairman of 57 Vice chairman in Lagos, Mr Ladi Osinnubi, board member, Lagos State Table Tennis Association and Mr Tunde Salvador, board member, Lagos State Table Tennis Association.
Others are Hon. Taiwo Adesanya, Managing Director of Tadex Print, Mr. Ganiu Abass, Ex-officio, Somolu table tennis association, Mr. S.A Ayandokun, Games Master, MIMS Comprehensive College, Somolu. Mrs. Yemi Omotayo, the LGEA Sports Officer, Hon. Raheem Afeez, Special Adviser to Somolu Local government Chairman on Food Security and many others.