By Daily Sports Nigeria on November 18, 2023
An international trade expert and youth development enthusiast, Adekunle Ayoola, has called for more investment in sport, particularly Table Tennis describing it as a game that could be developed to empower the teeming youth.
Ayoola frowned at the neglect of “the catch them young” for the pingpong game saying that time is now for the individual, corporate organisations and government to take more than passing interest in supporting the development of this game in the country.
Ayoola disclosed this on Friday while speaking with our correspondent during the Adekunle and Adesoji Table Tennis Championship of Ijebu-Ode Club.
He said “Table Tennis is another game, like a gold mine that must be developed in the country. We have all come to understand that sport is now a morning spinning venture that could be use to empower our youths.
“We all can see what Tobi Amusan is doing on the track on the international globe. I and my brother, Mr Adesoji Ogunade have decided to sponsor this tournament which is the second edition as a way of giving back to the society and fostering spirit of oneness among Nigerians. Those that participated are members of Ibadan Tennis Club, Abeokuta Sport Club and Ijebu-Ode Club.”
One of the sponsors of the tournament, Adesoji Ogunade said “We are doing this to contribute to the fitness of Nigerians, we are doing this as a form of giving back to the society and most importantly, to arouse further development in sporting activities.
“It is our desire to take the tennis to schools, we want to use it to empower the young ones and even take them outside the country to go make good money for themselves. We sincerely hope hope that government, individuals and organisations will continue to see sport as a fertile ground to invest in. This will help to reduce so much of unemployment in the land and curb the way and manner our youths channel their energies into unproductive ventures”.
The Chairman, Planning Committee of the tournament, Kazeem Ogunbanjo, lauded the sponsors of the tournament saying that the kind gesture would surely impact positively on the development of the table tennis in Ijebu land and the country as a whole.
Source Punch Ng
Posted November 18, 2023
You may also like...
Arteta Refuses To Rush £45m Partey
‘Adesanya best UFC fighter ever’
Ewan Wins Tour de France 11th Stage
Unhappy Sarri demand talks with Willian
Why Saka Chose England Over Nigerians And Why...
Tricky Europa draw for Arsenal and Chelsea

Nnadozie books final spot as Ajibade, Echegini lose title in France
Peter Obi congratulates Osimhen on Turkish league triumph
Edem launches West Africa basketball tourney in Lagos
Uche felt I don’t like him – Glasner
Ejuke gets ‘Jay-Jay’ nickname amid EPL links
International Sambo Federation hails blind Nigerian athletes
2030 Commonwealth Games Podium Target: NOC President Hails Netball Revival
Aina doubtful for Villa’s Europa League clash
Oyebanji labels Oyebode football tourney talent pipeline
Adeshina bags Texas Tech student-athlete award
Portable challenges Davido, Zlatan after Carter Efe defeat
Inter plot €8m Akinsanmiro buy back after Pisa sale
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,762 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,086 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,019 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,607 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,531 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,430 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,273 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,828 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,015 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,515 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,937 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,391 views)