By Daily Sports Nigeria on April 29, 2025

Africa’s men’s doubles champion, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, and top-ranked female player, Hope Udoaka, have emerged as the top seeds in the singles event of the fifth Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial National Table Tennis Championships which got underway on Monday in Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State.

The event was officially declared open by the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Kola Adewusi, who participated in an exhibition match against former African champion, Saka Suraju.

Adewusi praised the tournament’s sponsor—the Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Foundation, led by Ayodeji Alabi—for its unwavering commitment to the sport.

“I urge all players to take this tournament as an opportunity to display their talents,” Adewusi said. “However, talent must be complemented by discipline and hard work, as there are no shortcuts to success. I also challenge our female players to step up their game and see this platform as a chance to break into the national team.”

Abdulfatai, who narrowly missed the national title to Matthew Kuti earlier this year, is determined to reclaim his spot on the national team.

Udoaka, representing Cross River, will be aiming to unseat defending champion Sukurat Aiyelabegan of Kwara in the women’s singles.

Other top contenders in the Men’s Singles include defending champion Jamiu Ayanwale, Edo’s Amadi Omeh, Akinwale Fagbamila from Ondo, and Azeez Waisu of Oyo.

In the Women’s Singles, Udoaka is joined by Aiyelabegan, Lagos-based Bose Odusanya, Aminat Fashola, and Bisola Asaju of Kwara on the list of seeded players.

Sanctioned by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and organised by the Osun State Table Tennis Association, the five-day tournament features over N11.5m in prize money with about 50 teams from different states across the country jostling for the ultimate prize.

Source Punch Ng

Posted April 29, 2025

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