Paralympians Target Glory at National Table Tennis Championships
Paralympians Isau Ogunkunle and Faith Obazuaye headline the 56th Molade Okoya-Thomas National Table Tennis Championship, which kicks off today in Lagos.
As the longest-running table tennis tournament in Africa, dating back to 1968, this year marks the first time it will be held on a national scale. Over 350 players from 21 states and 67 clubs will compete in 13 categories over six days.
Isau Ogunkunle, Africa’s sole table tennis medallist at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, leads the Ogun State contingent and aims to become the first Class 1-5 player to win the men’s singles title. Faith Obazuaye, a two-time Paralympian and Commonwealth Games medallist, will represent Edo State in the Women’s Class 6-10 para category.
Ogunkunle expressed his excitement about the competition’s expansion, noting it provides para players a valuable platform to showcase their skills. “The tournament becoming national is a great opportunity for us as players. It allows us to test our abilities and showcase our talents,” he said.
Tournament referee John Peters highlighted the record turnout, describing it as the largest in the championship’s history. He believes the event will help identify and nurture new talent for the global stage.
The championship promises to deliver thrilling competition with a lineup of the nation’s top players.