6th December, 2011
The finals of the 41st Annual Deen Star Table Tennis Championship were held on Sunday at the premises of Lagos Island Council.
In the U-10 Girls singles, Hawawu Mogaji defeated Ramota Adeshina 2-1, while Olajide Quadri humbled Ibrahim Bawala 2-1 in the U-10 Boys’ category.
In the singles event of Cadet Boys, Akanbi Ikanola beat Fashina Isiaka 2-1, while Rasak Ishola defeated Olayemi Michael 3-0.
Speaking with P.M. Sports, sponsor of the tournament, Mr. Tajudeen Olaniyi Onitana, expressed delight that this year’s tournament was a success. He commended the finalists for their performance and congratulated the winners of the tourney.
“I am glad that I witnessed this year’s edition despite the fact I’m just recovering from my sickness. By the grace of God next year’s edition would be better packaged than previous ones,†he said.
Onitana, popularly known as Barrister, expressed sadness that he has not been receiving support from Nigerians since the inception of the grassroots table tennis competition.
He said in the last 41 years, he has been singlehandedly sponsoring the ping pong tourney.
He commended Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola for donating equipment to Deen Stars through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to the Governor headed by Prince Wale Oladunjoye.
He called for more support from the state, Lagos Island Local Government, corporate organisations and well meaning Nigerians.
“Most of the sport philanthropists we believe they will help us are not forthcoming,†he lamented.
— Sunday Akintoye