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.
Odusanya who has remained unbeaten in the competition since she won her maiden title in 2015 on Tuesday the finale of this year’s edition defeated Kehinde Oyeniyi 4-0 to retain her title.
The Lagos state champion who was part of the Team Nigeria silver-winning contingent to the 2021 African Championships in Cameroon believes she would continue to dominate as long as she keeps raising her game.
Unlike Odusanya who was claiming her seventh title, national men’s champion Rilwan Akanbi claimed her second title at the tournament after beating Olakunble Ajulo 4-0 in the final to reclaim the title he surrendered 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. But in all I thank God that I am able to reclaim the title again after five years,” Akanbi said.
Speaking during the finale, the wife of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Oluremi Hamzat said the tournament has continued to add value by producing talents for the country.
“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 produce and discover new talents for table tennis competitions.”
“I appreciate the organisers of this event, the Lagos State Table Tennis Association, and stakeholders of this sporting activity for their consistency in ensuring a successful hosting of this annual tournament,” she added.
She, however, urged the corporate organisation to support and partner the organisers in their bid to expand the scope of the championships in the future.
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