Umar Ayoola showcased his experience by defeating his younger brother, Usman Ayoola, while Khadijat Musa overcame Chinenye Okafor to claim top honours at the 2nd Atanda Musa U-15 National Table Tennis Championship, held at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja.
The two-day event was sponsored by former Commonwealth champion Atanda Musa, in partnership with the Lagos State Table Tennis Association and the Lagos Country Club, as part of his ongoing commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting the sport nationwide.
Musa explained that his motivation for sponsoring the championship stemmed from a desire to give back to society and help uncover future stars for Nigeria.
The grand finale drew notable attendees, including Lagos Country Club officials led by President Oluwaloseyi Adewunmi, and table tennis legends such as Kasali Lasisi.
In the girls’ final, Musa and Okafor reignited their rivalry in a rematch of the 2025 Efunkoya Cup. Once again, Osun State’s Musa edged out her Abia counterpart in a thrilling 3-2 victory, reinforcing her dominance in the category.
The boys’ final captivated spectators as the Ayoola brothers delivered a high-octane showdown. Usman, seeking redemption for his previous loss at the Efunkoya Cup, took an early lead but was ultimately outplayed by Umar in a gripping five-set battle. Umar sealed the win 3-1 to be crowned champion.
A visibly pleased Atanda Musa reaffirmed his dedication to sustaining the championship. “I want this tournament to become a permanent fixture in the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) calendar. The talent we’ve witnessed is inspiring, and we’ll continue to elevate the competition. I’m committed to hosting it annually and expanding its reach so more players can rise to national prominence,” he said.
NTTF Vice President Adesoji Tayo praised Musa’s initiative and encouraged other former players to follow his lead. “We’re truly grateful for Musa’s support. His efforts are vital to our mission of discovering new talent. We hope more ex-players will step forward, and we’re confident this championship will produce future stars,” Tayo added.