Jamiu Ayanwale, an indoor game athlete from Agege has emerged the winner of the 2nd edition of Seyi Tinubu Table Tennis Challenge competition, reports thegazellenews.com
Ayanwale became champion by beating Augustine Emmanuel from Apapa three sets to one in the best of five set final.
While decorating the champion, Ayanwale, with his medal, a gold trophy and a N250,000 cash prize, the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Oluwatoyin Gafaar Bolowotan noted that the youngster did exceptionally well all through, giving the game the needed seriousness and concentration, which eventually translated to victory.
Bolowotan added that going forward athletes should endeavour to sharpen their skills more and remain in form as there are many opportunities to latch on and make a statement in their sporting career.
“Anything that has to do with the young people is very important to the administration of our Governor, Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu because youth development and engagement is very germane to him.
“The call to all the athletes is to put your best in everything that you do, you never know who is around watching you and what can come out of it, in spite of the prizes available here today, most of them have been there for the last five years doing so well having represented Lagos in various sporting competitions.
“Asoju Oba games will start soon as well as the National Opens which will also kick off, we will now crown it with Renewed Hope Table Tennis Challenge for the top 16 in Nigeria. That is what we’ve been doing for the last four and five years.
“The younger ones that are also coming up, we have the competitions lined up for them, we encourage them so that they can see and have hope of making impact,” he said.
Augustine Emmanuel who bags the second position was also decorated with a medal and a cash prize of N150,000.
The competitors were drawn from across all the localities of Lagos State. It featured youngsters and professional players, who showcased their athletic competence all through the tennis tourney.
A powerful delegation of youthful cabinet members of the Lagos State executive was in attendance at the event: the state Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende; Mr. Idris Aregbe, Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism; and the Lagos State All Progressives Congress Youth Leader, Dr. Muritala Seriki amongst others.
Speaking on the sideline during the tournament, Ogunlende hinted that the state government is passionate about driving sporting activities to bring out the best of Lagos youthful population, so as to help them channel their God-given energy into positive ventures.
He stated that: “I am essentially here today to give the moral support and encouragements that our youths need. I commend the organizers for putting this together.I know it came under a very short period being the second edition and we will continue to show our support every year.
“It is a youthful event and we need to support ourself if not we cannot continue to promote that unity, we are talking about which is needed for us to foster good relationships across board.
“The idea is to continue to infuse as many programmes into the local governments, the state is doing a lot but the state cannot do it alone, which is why we must all come together as evident with our turn out here today.
“2024 will be a laudable one because we are building on a lot of grassroots sports like table tennis, badminton and taekwondo while not forgetting football and basketball, so the commission is doing a lot with the support of the Governor and I”.
The organizer of the event, Mr. Saheed Afonja former Senior Special Assistant on Youth Development to the Governor and now Personal Assistant to Mr. Seyi Tinubu on Grassroots Politics, noted that the athletes were randomly selected across the localities of Lagos State having filled forms online.
