Mathew Kuti and Hope Uduak emerged victorious at the 2023 Renewed Hope Table Tennis Invitational Challenge in the men’s and Women’s Singles of the competition held in Lagos.
Kuti (Lagos) walloped Akinwale Fagbamila from Ondo State 3-1 (11-6,13-11,11-4,13-11) to emerge champion in the men’s singles category.
With his international experience in the ping pong game, the boy from Ikorodu did not allow his stature to derail him from overcoming Fagbamila in a game of five sets.
In the women’s singles, Bayelsa’s Hope Uduak defeated Shukurat Aiyelabegan from Kwara 3-1 (4-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-9) in an interesting encounter that showcased the fast-rising development of women development in table tennis.
Uduak did not relent in her effort when she lost the first set to Aiyelabegan. She took her time to gather momentum winning the second, third and finally smashing her way to victory.
The top 16 players (Men’s and Women’s) stormed Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, to compete for honours solely sponsored by the Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission LSSC, Oluwatoyin Gafaar.
In reacting to the development, The Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission Oluwatoyin Gafaar, lauded the initiative, saying it is part of the developmental programmes and to renew the hope of the young talented athletes to move forward.
“It’s part of our own contributions to give back to the society and in line with the THEMES Plus agenda of Lagos State which is inclusive”.
Gafaar hailed the Vice President, ITTF, Enitan Wahid Oshodi and the leadership of NTTF for their support and unrelenting efforts for the growth of the Table Tennis in Nigeria.