Union Bank Face Stern Test In Final

The dominance of Union Bank Table Tennis teams (male and female) will be tested tomorrow in the final of the Lagos State Table Tennis League scheduled for the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba.

After seven weeks of action, the top ten teams that will compete in the grand final of the league have emerged with Union Bank and Springfresh topping the list.

Although, Union Bank dominated the men and women’s events of the championship, a youthful team like Springfresh, who have been a threat to the banker’s teams, also secured places in the final, which will begin early  tomorrow.

With the stage set for the final of the league sponsored by Oniru Royal Family of Lagos Island, all eyes will be on Union Bank in the men’s event, while the tussle for the coveted prize in the women’s event will be between the bankers and foreign-based Union Maritime ladies.

For the captain of Springfresh, Ayo Omotara, winning the title remains their target having worked hard to be among the top  teams that made it to the final.

“At this level of the championship, I think it is high time we halted the dominance of Union Bank because they seem to be cocky about their performance so far this season. I am confident that we can achieve what we have not been able to do in the last seven weeks. I know it is a tall order but I believe it is achievable. What I will be telling my players is for them to believe in themselves and give their best as well as fight for every point in all the matches,” Omotara said.

However, captain of Union Bank, Kazeem Adeniyi dismissed Omotara’s threat, saying, “matches are not won with mere boast.”

He said: “I quite acknowledge that Springfresh remain the only team that can stand between us and the title, but with our wealth of experience coupled with the support we have been getting from the management of the bank, I believe we are home and dry for the title.

“It is going to be tough because many people will be around to witness the final and I know that my teammates are up to the task.”

Meanwhile, organisers of the tournament, Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA) and the sponsor are leaving nothing to chance to ensure that the final is glamorous with mouth-watering prizes.

Apart from Union Bank and Springfresh who will play in the final, others teams such as the Nigeria Police, J30, Free Style and Olufab are competing in the men’s event, while the women’s category will feature Union Maritime, Union Bank, Springfresh, J30, Nigeria Police, Yet Kad, Olufab, Surmer and Osaka.

Technical Director of the competition, John Peters, said the 10 teams will be divided into two groups with the two top teams in each group progressing to the semi final stage.