The second edition of the Seyi Tinubu Table Tennis Challenge took place yesterday at the Odi-Olowo LCDA, and it was quite a thrilling event. A total number of 40 top players from all 20 Local Government Areas of Lagos State participated, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship.

Ayanwale Demola Akanni secured the 1st position and walked away with a prize of 250k, Augustine Emmanuel claimed the 2nd position and earned a prize of 150k, lastly Adegoke Muiz achieved the 3rd position and received a prize of 100k.

Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlede, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, He expressed his enthusiasm for the competition, highlighting the energy and passion of the participants.

Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlede commended the organizers for their commendable efforts in putting together the event within a short period of time. This event marked the second edition, and the commissioner emphasized the continued support from himself and the Special Adviser for Tourism. Recognizing the significance of youth-oriented events, he stressed the need to promote unity and foster positive relationships across different sectors.

Expressing his admiration for the event, the commissioner wished the participants luck and acknowledged the prizes that were on offer. He believed that the token prizes would serve as encouragement, especially during the Yuletide period, and would benefit the participants and their families.

Highlighting the state’s commitment to youth development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlede mentioned the various programs that have been organized in recent weeks. These programs included a swimming competition at CMS, a table tennis event at the Eko Club in Surulere, and a fitness activity. The commissioner emphasized the state’s objective of infusing as many programs as possible into the local government, ensuring widespread engagement and empowerment of the youth.

In his remarks, Hon. Oluwatoyin Gafaar, the director general of Lagos State’s sports commission, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the youth in Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwoolu’s administration. He shared that when he received the call from Afonja this morning, he felt compelled to attend because it was a call for the youth that needed to be heeded. Hon. Gafaar has been familiar with this call for the past four to five years and understands the significance of giving your best in everything you do, as you never know who may be watching and what opportunities may arise from it. The winners of this event will be rewarded with great prizes, bringing extra joy during the Christmas season.

As Hon. Gafaar mentioned, many of the participants in this event have been playing professionally for years, and he has had the pleasure of knowing them for five years. They have represented Lagos in various competitions and are also gearing up for upcoming ones. last week, Hon. Gafaar said he attended a table tennis event at Eko Club, and tomorrow, the Ashoju Oba tournament will kick off. Additionally, the national open competition will soon begin, and on the 21st, they will crown it with the renewed hope table tennis challenge, featuring the best 15 players in Nigeria. This commitment to promoting table tennis has been ongoing for the past five years. Furthermore, there are competitions specifically designed for younger participants to inspire and encourage their development in the sport.

Hon. Akanbi Saheed Afonja, former SSA to the Governor on youth development and current PA to Seyi Tinubu on grassroots politics, he said the Seyi Tinubu 2nd edition in the table tennis challenge. He mentioned that a lot has been added since the first edition. In the first edition, they only gave money to the participants as a way to appreciate Seyi Tinubu’s support for young people.

However, in this second edition, they are presenting checks for the first, second, and third place winners, as well as trophies and medals. It’s great to see the growth and improvements in the tournament, and HON. Akanbi Saheed Afonja expressed gratitude to God for the positive changes.

To ensure fairness and avoid any bias, they implemented an online registration process for participants. This was done to prevent any form of favoritism or sentiment. HON. Akanbi Saheed Afonja also mentioned that whenever Seyi Tinubu or Asiwaju’s name is involved, there is always a high level of interest from people wanting to participate. On the day of the event, there were some initial disagreements among participants who felt they were not being supported. However, they were able to resolve the situation and maintain peace to avoid any negative publicity. It’s great to hear that they were able to address the concerns and ensure a smooth event.

One notable change in this edition is the inclusion of female participants. Unlike the first edition where there were no female participants, they have made efforts to include females in the tournament. Looking ahead, they are even considering the possibility of having separate categories for females and males in the third edition. This shows their commitment to inclusivity and providing opportunities for everyone.

HON. Akanbi Saheed Afonja mentioned that they are achieving their aim with the tournament. As evidence of this, the Director-General (DG) is present at the event, and they will be having discussions to explore sponsorship opportunities for future editions.

Damilare Orimoloye, the senior special assistant to the Governor of Lagos State, He expressed that this tournament is a welcome development as it focuses on sports and provides an opportunity for the youth.

Damilare encouraged all the participants to embrace every available opportunity, as you never know what it may lead to. He mentioned that aside from today’s event, there are other upcoming events, one starting today and another on the 23rd. He emphasized that the mission of the sports commission is to create a culture for sports in Africa. He urged all the youth out there to seize every opportunity that comes their way, as you never know what it may bring.

Hon. Idris Aregbe Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Art and Culture, Dr. Muritala Seriki Lagos State APC Youth Leader also graced the second edition of the Seyi Tinubu Table Tennis Challenge.