The Universal Archival Elders (UAE), an organisation of Kegites Club elders, otherwise known as Ẹgbẹ́ Àgbà Elemu, has finalised plans to host a sports program in 2026 as part of its commitment to giving back to Nigerian society. According to Fayth Deleọla Daramọla, the President of the Archaival Elders, whose members spread across the world, a Universal Archaival Elders Table Tennis Tournament will be held between May and June 2026 in Nigeria as part of their contribution to foster unity among the people in the country.
The motive behind this tournament is to use sports, which have been a tool of unity among Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic and religious backgrounds, and to further cement the spirit of unity in this trying period the nation is passing through.
The Universal Archaivar Elders, otherwise known as “Ẹgbẹ́ Àgbà Elemu” had a Zoom meeting on recently to unveil the Mascot for the tournament. The meeting was attended by some of the archival entities, Mr. Enitan Oshodi, Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Nigerian table tennis legends and members of the sporting media.
The Mascot for the maiden edition of the table tennis tournament depicts the unifying factor of sports among Nigerians and also shows the unity in the country’s diversity.
According to Yomi Opakunle, one of the tournament officials, the event will be strictly by members of the Kegites Club in Nigeria across four regions of the nation: West, East, North and South.
“We will have regional preliminaries after which regional champions will now converge to compete at the national finals,” Opakunle said, while disclosing that handsome prize monies will be given to winners.
Executive Vice President of the ITTF, Enitan Oshodi, said the world table tennis regulator is glad to have the initiative of the Universal Archaivar Elders Table Tennis Tournament coming up in Nigeria at this period to give the sport more popularity in the country. He was also excited to see table tennis legends attending the meeting.
Oshodi promised that he would see to the support being given to the organisers in the area of equipment and other technical logistics.
“I am so happy that this tournament is coming up in a year that the ITTF is celebrating 100 years of competitive table tennis in the world. This is a big commendation,” he said.
A member of the archival entities, Olujimi Oluyinka, said the Universal Archaivar Elders decided to identify with their roots by coming to Nigeria to organise the table tennis tournament for the youth.
“We want to tell the world and change the narrative that Kegites Club has gone beyond drinking and dancing, it has also gone beyond one single hand salute, we want to affect humanity positively, and sports is a veritable platform to achieve this unity in diversity we are known for.
“Members of the Universal Archaivar Elders are so happy that the table tennis community in the country is with us on this. This first edition will be strictly for members of the Kegites Club in Nigeria while the future editions will be expanded to accommodate members across the world,” Olujimi said.
Royal Elder – Oba Olasoji Oladele, the Sooko Adimula Obalufon, who also attended the meeting, prayed for the success of the tournament, which he believes would be a turning point in private involvement in the youth and sports development in the country.
Some of Nigeria’s table tennis legends who spoke during the meeting were so excited with the contribution coming for the sport through the Universal Archaivar Elders.
Legends such as Bilikisu Popoola, the first woman to represent Nigeria in an international tourney at the Table Tennis World Cup in Munich, Germany, who is now over 80 years, Kehinde Okenla, Olawunmi Majekodunmi and others were delighted that the elders gave table tennis a thought among several sports in their programme.
The Universal Archaivar Elders is an international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) of archival entities whose membership of Comradium is over 35 years and above, irrespective of their past portfolio while in school or thereafter.