The 54th edition of Molade Okoya-Thomas table tennis championship failed to serve-off Tuesday due to the Town Hall Meeting organised by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, at the venue of the tournament.
Daily Trust observed that the hall meant to host matches of the much-anticipated table tennis tourney was occupied by Executive Members of Surulere 1, Coker Aguda and Itire Ikare Community Development Association (CDA).
A banner displayed inside the hall indicated that the gathering was a Town Hall Meeting hosted by the Speaker and it started at 10am to 3pm.
Meanwhile, junior table tennis players eager for action were seen engaging one another in knockabouts while waiting for the political event to end.
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At the end of the Town Hall Meeting, an official said the referees held a meeting and resolved unanimously that it was too late to start the competition.
It was, therefore, decided that the tournament should start today at the same venue.
“The referees met and decided that the competition should start fully tomorrow (today) morning by 8am,” said the official.
He said yesterday would have witnessed all men’s singles but he said organisers would now rush the matches so as to finish within the stipulated time.
“We were supposed to start with the men’s singles today (yesterday) but now we will have to rush it, so as to meet up with the stated time,” he stated.