Efunkoya U-15 Table Tennis Championships Kick Off in Lagos

The 7th Adegboyega Efunkoya U-15 National Table Tennis Championships began today at the Indoor Hall of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. A total of 14 states and 20 clubs from across Nigeria are participating, with Lagos fielding the largest team.

The absence of last year’s champions, Umar Ayoola and Khadijat Musa, who have aged out of the category, has opened the competition for new talents. Players will compete in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, with aspirations to join the national team.

The tournament will also honor excellence in character and discipline through twelve awards, including Most Improved Player and Best Umpire. Tournament referee John Peters praised the event's evolution and the emergence of new players like Matthew Kuti, who has progressed to the senior national team.

A strict screening process will ensure compliance with age regulations, with disqualification and sanctions for violations. The championships are positioned as a vital platform for nurturing the future of Nigerian table tennis.