Onitsha Table Tennis Club has won the maiden South-East Table Tennis Club championship held in Awka, the Anambra capital.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-day table tennis fiesta was organised by Bonny Akunna, a veteran player and coach, in collaboration with Damila Gold Ice Sparkling Wine.
The duo of Akabuike Opoto and Christian Nnolim lifted the trophy for the club after a 3-2 defeat of Umuahia Table Tennis Club represented by Emmanuel Okonkwo and Gilbert Nwabara, in the doubles final.
In the singles match played earlier, the game ended 1-1 with Okoronkwo of Umuahia beating Nnolim of Onitsha 3-1, and Opoto of Onistha trouncing Nwabara of Umuahia 3-0.
Xfit Table Tennis Club Awka and the Enugu Table Tennis Club were joint third place winners of the competition.
No fewer than 50 players from 10 table tennis clubs across the South-East took part in the maiden championship.
Obinna Michael, Managing Director of Cosmila Group, owners of Damila Wine, said he was driven by his love and passion to make table tennis the leading sporting event in the South-East.
He commended the winners and players for their good conducts during the championship, while assuring that his company would continue to work with the organisers to evolve a development programme for the sport, especially at the grassroots.
“Damila as a brand will continue to support table tennis and provide the platform for our youths to rise to national and international stardom.
Niyi Oladipupo, the umpire of the tournament, commended the organisers and sponsors for staging a successful event which he described as impressive and competitive.
Oladipupo, a coach from the Nigeria Institute of Sports, said the championship was an indication that South-East table tennis players could excel at national competition if adequately supported.
“The championship was competitive because we did not even know that the South-East has a number of good players; we used to think table tennis is for the South-West alone.
“I discovered that there is not so much emphasis on grassroots development; so my recommendation is that the sponsor should consider having a junior category of this championship in subsequent editions,” he said.
In his remark, the organiser, Akunna, commended all the stakeholders including clubs, coaches, and sponsors for their active participation in the championship.
He said he would continue to work towards the growth of the sport and development of players. (NAN)
