In a thrilling display of talent, Faruq Hussein of Kwara State continued his winning streak by defeating Abdulahamid Adebayo of Lagos in the final of the Atanda Musa National Cadet Invitational Championships.
The event, held at the Lagos Country Club on Tuesday, August 26, 2024, saw Hussein, the 2023 National Youth Games champion, remain unbeaten in all his matches.
He showcased his skill and determination by coming from behind to secure a 3-1 (4-11, 13-11, 11-3, 12-10) victory against Adebayo.
In the girls’ category, Khadijat Musa of Osun emerged victorious, outclassing Funmilayo Ojo of Ondo with a 3-1 win to claim the championship title.
The top four players were rewarded with cash prizes, with the winners receiving ₦100,000 each.
Atanda Musa, the excited sponsor of the tournament, expressed his commitment to expanding the competition.
He urged former international players to support the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) in discovering new talents to replace the aging stars in the national teams.
Musa, a former Commonwealth and African champion, was pleased with the quality of play and pledged to make this tournament an annual event on the NTTF calendar.
The top 16 boys and 16 girls from the 5th Efunkoya Cadet Championships were invited to participate in this inaugural event. The finals were graced by former table tennis stars, including two-time African champion Kasali Lasisi and Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho.
Musa expressed his satisfaction with the competition, stating, “I am impressed with the exceptional talent showcased by the players. They need further development to compete favorably with their international counterparts. This is my way of giving back to society, and I urge my former colleagues to join me in reviving the sport that shaped our lives. We cannot ignore the call to elevate table tennis in the country. I promise this tournament will become an annual event to unearth and support new talents, aiding the NTTF in their efforts.”
Omotosho praised Musa for his initiative, expressing optimism that such efforts would help find immediate replacements for the aging players in the national teams.