Unseeded Bayelsa Duo Clinch Mixed Doubles Title as Major Upsets Rock National Table Tennis Championship
Samuel Boboye and Iyanuoluwa Falana, representing Bayelsa State, claimed the mixed doubles title on Wednesday at the 5th Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial National Table Tennis Championships, held in Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State.
The Bayelsa duo delivered a notable performance to defeat the tournament’s number two seeds, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai and Sukurat Aiyelabegan of Kwara State, with a 3-1 victory (11-1, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7). Boboye and Falana credited their success to staying composed and focused throughout the match, despite facing higher-ranked opponents. They also expressed confidence in achieving more success for Bayelsa and the Niger Delta region in future competitions.
In a major upset in the U-15 boys’ singles category, top seed Ayoola Usman was knocked out in the round of 16 by an unseeded opponent. Solomon Oyenekan of Lagos delivered a dominant performance to defeat Usman, who represents Aruna Sports Club, in straight sets (12-10, 11-9, 11-8), advancing to the quarter-finals.
The ongoing five-day tournament, which concludes on Friday, May 2, has drawn participants from across the country. Sanctioned by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and organised by the Osun State Table Tennis Association, the championship features players from states including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Taraba, Nasarawa, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti, Katsina, Niger, Zamfara, and host state Osun.
Clubs such as Aruna Sports Club, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigeria Police Force are also competing at the N11.5 million prize money event, seeking national honours in various categories.
With the tournament reaching its climax, anticipation is high as top seeds battle to defend their positions while unseeded contenders continue to challenge the odds in pursuit of silverware and cash prizes.
