Bose Odusanya on Tuesday in Lagos became the first player to claim seven consecutive titles in the annual Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup.

Odusanya made the mark after claiming her seventh Women’s Singles gong at the 53rd edition of Africa’s oldest table tennis tournament.

The five-day tournament held at the Molade Okoya Table Tennis Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere, Lagos.

Odusanya, who remained unbeaten in the competition since she won her maiden title in 2015, defeated Kehinde Oyeniyi 4-0 on Tuesday at the finals of this year’s edition to retain her title.

Also, Rilwan Akanbi claimed his second title at the tournament after beating Olakunle Ajulo 4-0 in the male’s final to reclaim the title he lost in 2017.

Akanbi, who won the 2016 edition of the championships believes reclaiming the title this year did not come on a platter of gold.

“I can tell you that it was not easy winning the title this year. It might look easy with the outcome of the result but on the table, it was tough.

“In all I thank God that I am able to reclaim the title again after five years,” he said

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has praised the commitment of the Okoya-Thomas family for their unwavering support to Table Tennis development in the state with the continuous sponsorship of the annual tournament.

Speaking during the finals, the wife of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Oluremi Hamzat, said the tournament had continued to add value by producing talents for Nigeria.

“I believe, this Africa’s oldest table tennis tournament, which is in its 53rd edition, will further be of great value and importance in helping us as a nation to produce and discover new talents for table tennis competitions.

“I appreciate the organisers of this event, the Lagos State Table Tennis Federation and stakeholders of this sporting activity for their consistency in ensuring a successful hosting of this annual tournament,” she added.

She, however, urged corporate organisations to support and partner the organisers in their bid to expand the scope of the championships in the future.

Also speaking, Atanda Musa, Nigeria’s ex-international table-tennis legend, said the table tennis federation needed to employ more coaches to encourage and train more players.

He added that Table Tennis game in Nigeria had begun to take a new shape registering strength globally.

“Table Tennis is getting better compared to two years ago and I am really impressed with the young generation.

“They are doing really well and all they need is more encouragement and more coaches, we want to implore the Federation to employ more coaches.

“So far, all the players that I have seen today are all talented,” he said.

Also, Tokunbo Agoro, Chairman, Lagos State Table Tennis Association, said that the sport needed more sponsors.

He added that with more sponsors the state would produce talents that would represent the country international.

“This tournament has been there for 53 years and we are trying to build a new structure.

“The high point of this tournament is new players being discovered that can represent the state and the nation locally and internationally.

‘No school in Nigeria will be allow to teach any child outside the approved curriculum’

“We need more sponsors that can believe that we are true and real,” he said.

The players won cash prizes, fans, televisions, refrigerators, microwaves and many more items at the tournament.(NAN)