The family behind the oldest table tennis championship in Nigeria, Asoju Oba, has announced the change of the name of the annual sporting event from Asoju Oba to Molade Okoya-Thomas Table Tennis Championship.
The son of the initiator of the championship which began in 1968, Mr. Ayodeji Okoya-Thomas disclosed this at the press briefing to herald the 54th edition of the championship slated to serve-off on Tuesday, December 27 to December 30.
He explained that the name of the championship had to change because it was named after the chieftaincy title the initiator, Molade Okoya-Thomas, held before his demise.
“I know most of you will be wondering why the name changed. The family decided to name the tournament after its initiator because the former name was a title given to him while he was alive and since his demise, the title has been given to someone else.
“So, it is pertinent that the family use his name for the tournament which has remained the longest sport competition in Nigeria,” he said.
He added that the 2022 edition would accommodate the senior category only, stressing that there were hiccups while choosing the date to start owing to the just concluded National Sports Festival which was held in Delta and other sporting activities organised by the Lagos State Table Tennis Association.
“In the senior category, we have women and men singles, doubles and mixed doubles. The Para-table tennis will also be competing for the eighth time this year,” he said.
While thanking the Lagos State Government for the support over the years, he disclosed that there would be cash and other prizes for the Most Valuable Players in both male and female category.
The Chairman, Lagos State Table Tennis Association, Alhaji Tunji Lawal, also revealed that over 100 tennis players would participate in this edition.
He also applauded the sports loving family for the opportunity given to talented table tennis players to compete for trophies and cash prizes.
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