Agunbiade, Alabi shine at 2nd Value-Jet Para Tennis Championship

Tajudeen Agunbiade and Femi Alabi have reclaimed their titles as winners of men’s singles in the 2nd Value-Jet Para Table Tennis Championships in Lagos.

Supreme reports that Agunbiade defeated his counterpart Adisa Tunde 3-1, while Alabi also won 3-1 against his opponent, Saheed Yekini, in classes nine and 10, respectively.

Ikepeoyi Christiana set a new tournament record after beating Faith Obiorah 3-2 in the finals of the best of five games of class 5.

Obiora was the winner of the maiden edition of the tournament.

Supreme reports that the three-day tournament ended on Monday night at Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

Agunbiade said that the win would help him stay positive for Rio 2021.

“Am glad I won again this year, in the midst of the pandemic I did not stop training and I am glad it paid off,” he said.

Also speaking with newsmen, Ikepeoyi said her win was reward for her constant hard work and training from her coach.

“I am so happy and overwhelmed with joy because I faced a lot of challenges and I came all the way from Delta State.

“This is the toughest class among the sitting class and I believe am just starting because I intend to go far in this sport,’’ she said.

Adesoji Tayo, Technical Director, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), lauded the sponsors for supporting the tournament amidst the pandemic.

He urged other corporate bodies to support the para athletes who had continued to put the country on the world map with their display globally.

“Am indeed impressed with all the sponsors.

“I believe they genuinely have the interest of the para athletes at heart.

“With the performance of all, I’m sure they will all make the country great by bringing back medals from the Rio 2021,” he said.

Kunle Soname, Chairman, Value-Jet Airline, in his remarks, said that the organization would continue to explore opportunities to give back to the society.

He added that the organization would continue to support the growth of para table tennis.

“We at Value-jet give special thanks to all our partners who are party to making this a reality.
“We commend Sunday Odebode Foundation for their tireless dedication to the sport.

“We are always excited to extend our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform to include these great athletes,’’ he said.

Anderson Bankole, NTTF Vice President, said he was impressed by the performance of the athletes.
He added that eight of the athletes who would represent the country in Rio 2021 were ready and prepared for the competition.

“I am personally impressed with their performance, this has shown us that the athletes are very prepared for the task ahead of them.

“I believe this will go a long way in motivating the athletes to aim high at Tokyo games.

“I commend all and I look forward to a good performance from the athletes in Tokyo,” Bankole said.

Supreme reports that 3rd place winners were rewarded with N50, 000 cash prize; 2nd place, N70,000; while 1st place got N100, 000 naira each.