How I Became New Asoju Oba Table Tennis Champion -Fayele

SUNDAY AKINTOYE

David Fayele, who won a Toyota brand car at the just concluded 50th Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Table Tennis Cup recently, has revealed that his determination, hard work and prayer helped him to overcome his archrival, Olajide Omotayo in the final of the men’s singles of the championship at the Molade Thomas Okoya Indoor Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium. Surulere.

The winner, who was a finalist at the last edition defeated Olajide Omotayo 4-2 (4-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 12-10) to win his first major tournament in his career, while in the female category, three-time champion, Bose Odusanya won her fourth consecutive title after beating Nimota Aregbesola 4-2 (11-5, 6-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 12-10).

Fayele told P.M.EXPRESS that he prepared for his opponent mentally, psychologically and spiritually which really worked for him at the end of the day.

“Immediately I was told that Jide Omotayo was coming to take part in the championship, I began to double my effort in the training because I know that he (Omotayo) was the only participant that could give me problem. Initially I used to train for four hours, but later I increased it to six hours because of Omotayo. I know that my opponent is better than me but I told my God to crown my effort so that my level of preparation towards the competition would not be in vain and God had answered my prayer at the end of the day,” said Fayele, who promised to win gold medal at the National Sports Festival scheduled for Abuja from 6-16 December.

Fayele, a soldier in the Nigerian Army expressed gratitude to God and the Army who were solidly behind him throughout the duration. He also thanked the media for their support in actualizing his dream and promised that he will never disappoint Lagosians in the National Sports Festival.

In his own comment, Olajide who expressed disappointment over his defeat said his opponent was lucky to have won him. He said his opponent was not better than him and begged his fans for his defeat.

“My opponent was not better than me. He was too aggressive when we started the game which really helped him. It was a disappointing out for me but I will take result in good faith,’’ he said.

In the women’s singles final, it was emotional day for Bose Ogunsanya after defeating her opponent, Nimota Aregbesola in the pulsating final watched by hundreds of Ping-Pong fans.

Ogunsanya humbled Aregbesola 4-2 to cart away with Toyota brand car said it was a tough game but thanked goodness that she survived her opponent.

“It was a tough match for me because I did not want to disappoint my fans who have been supporting me. I was so excited when I emerged as champion because I never thought I would win the game, “she said.