The Senator Abiru Mixed Team Table Tennis Championships, sponsored by the SAIL Empowerment Foundation, an endowment of Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, and his wife, Mrs Feyisola Abiru, is kicking off tomorrow, Thursday 31, October, 2024, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos. The tournament is Africa’s first Mixed Team Table Tennis Championships. It is organised under the auspices of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF).
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday in Lagos, the co-founder of SAIL Empowerment Foundation, Senator Abiru, represented by his Media Aide, Mr. Enitan Olukotun, disclosed that the sporting event is part of the Foundation’s youth development and empowerment programme.
He said, “The SAIL Empowerment Foundation,as an endowment is focused on availing our young people the enormous opportunities inherent in the 4th industrial revolution, to create employment, inspire grass-roots innovations and build partnerships and networks that drive economic prosperity for the young people, and collaboratively solve significant social and business problems.
“Part of the mandate of SAIL Foundation on talent development for youth, informed the Foundation’s sponsorship of this historic mixed team table tennis tournament that will expose talented local players to the world, among other opportunities.
“It is gratifying to learn that we have players from other neighboring West African countries like Togo, Ghana and Benin Republic jostling for the prize, alongside our home based Nigerian players.
“I welcome the 159 players, including 84 men and 75 women who have been shortlisted for this tournament to the beautiful city of Lagos, the Centre of Excellence and Aquatic Splendour. Kindly make the most of your time here, and explore our dear Lagos, the bustling city of immense opportunities”.
Mr. Wahid Enitan Oshodi, President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) and Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), emphasized the tournament’s role in discovering new talents and familiarizing players with this new tournament format in Africa. He commended Senator Abiru and his wife for supporting table tennis, through SAIL Empowerment Foundation, and encouraged other Nigerians to empower youth through sports.
Lekan Fatodu, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), appreciated the promoters of SAIL Empowerment Foundation for their immense contributions to human capital development of youth in Lagos State. Fatodu expressed pride in Lagos hosting the first mixed team tournament in Africa, reinforcing the city’s status as a leading sports hub on the continent.
The tournament, with a prize pool of N4 million, will feature 28 teams, divided into eight groups of three or four teams each. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage. The finals are scheduled for Saturday, November 2, at 2 PM.
