The Nigeria Safety and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on the weekend, outclassed Lagos State in an exhilarating last recreation to win the First Senator Abiru Blended Staff Desk Tennis Championship.
The occasion, held on the Molade Okoya-Thomas Corridor of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, was historic because it marked the entry of blended workforce desk tennis match into Africa.
Powered by SAIL Basis, an endowment of Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, and his spouse, Feyisola, the ultimate recreation was witnessed by co-founder of SAIL Empowerment Basis, Senator Abiru, Lagos State Commissioner for Info and Technique, Gbenga Omotoso, Chief Affect Marketing consultant, SAIL Innovation Lab, Mr. Deji Abisola, and the President, African Desk Tennis Federation (ATTF), Mr Wahid Enitan Oshodi, who have been saved on the sting of their seats all through the ultimate recreation.
Enjoying for the title on the maiden occasion that featured 28 groups, together with members from Togo and Benin Republic, the Lagos workforce of Matthew Kuti and Muiz Adegoke fought gallantly for victory. Nonetheless, they discovered skilled NSCDC duo of Rilwan Akanbi, and Abdullahi Abdulrahman too arduous to crack, shedding the sport 3-2 to give up the N1 million prize cash to the NSCDC workforce.
On the finish of hostilities, particular accolades got to Ondo State’s Funmilayo Ojo, and NSCDC’s Abdulrahman, who have been named essentially the most improved and worthwhile gamers of the championships.
In his closing remarks, Senator Abiru expressed his dedication to youth empowerment by means of sports activities and counseled the Nigeria Desk Tennis Federation (NTTF), and the ATTF President, Oshodi, for his or her roles in making the match a hit.
“This championship has marked a brand new chapter in African sports activities, as we delivered to life, the primary blended desk tennis match ever held on the continent. We’ve got made historical past collectively, and it’s a milestone that I imagine will set a robust precedent for years to come back.
“This championship was conceived with a twin mission: to advance sports activities growth in Lagos State, and Nigeria by extension, and to create alternatives for our younger gamers to compete on a world stage. For us on the SAIL Empowerment Basis— an endowment my spouse and I arrange—supporting this historic occasion aligns with our mission to empower younger folks and encourage grassroots innovation. The match has opened doorways for rising skills from Nigeria and throughout West Africa, with gamers from Ghana, Togo, and the Benin Republic collaborating within the competitors,” he added.
