The Adegboyega Efunkoya Sports Foundation has kicked off the seventh edition of its National U-15 Table Tennis Championships with a two-day clinic at the indoor hall of the National Stadium. The sessions, running from August 11 to 12, are meant to prepare hundreds of young players before the main competition begins on August 13 and runs through August 15.
Hundreds of athletes are taking part in the clinic, which focuses on improving strokes, footwork, and match tactics while also building physical fitness and teaching modern training methods. Organizers see it as both a learning opportunity and a chance for promising talents to catch the eye of national selectors ahead of the tournament proper.
Speaking about the event, foundation chairman and former national coach Babatunde Obisanya highlighted the growing support the programme has received. “We are overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from stakeholders worldwide—former players in the diaspora, administrators, and enthusiasts who believe in our vision,” he said. He stressed that the foundation continues to honour the legacy of Dr. Adegboyega Efunkoya by encouraging players to balance sport with education and by bringing fresh ideas to each edition.
Since the championship began, it has already produced several players who have gone on to represent Nigeria at higher levels. Matthew Kuti, discovered in the first edition, now plays for the senior team and is Africa’s reigning U-19 champion, while others such as Khadijat Musa and the Ayoola siblings are also making their mark at junior level.
The foundation remains committed to developing table tennis at the grassroots in primary and secondary schools, with the long-term aim of placing Nigeria among the world’s top ten table tennis nations.
