The Adegboyega Efunkoya Sports Foundation is set to stage the seventh National U-15 Table Tennis Championships, with proceedings opening through a two-day coaching clinic at the National Stadium’s indoor hall on August 11 and 12. The competitive event will run from August 13 to 15, with a fresh group of champions expected to be crowned.
Hundreds of promising players are scheduled to attend the clinic, which will focus on improving stroke play, movement around the table and tactical decision-making, while also encouraging discipline and creativity. Physical preparation and contemporary coaching methods will form part of the programme, helping the youngsters handle the demands of tournament play and catch the attention of national team selectors.
Babatunde Obisanya, the foundation’s chairman and a former national coach, said the clinic had received strong backing from across the table tennis community. “We are deeply encouraged by the assistance coming from stakeholders around the world, including former players living abroad, administrators and supporters who share our vision,” he said. “We are determined to preserve Dr. Adegboyega Efunkoya’s legacy by helping athletes balance sport and schooling. We bring in fresh ideas every year, and this edition will also feature new initiatives. Our responsibility goes beyond staging matches, as we will continue to assist players who perform well with their education.”
The competition has already served as a pathway to Nigeria’s national teams since it was launched. Matthew Kuti, who was identified during the inaugural edition, has gone on to become an important member of the senior side and the current African U-19 champion. Khadijat Musa and siblings Umar, Usman and Kabirat Ayoola are among the other former participants now representing Nigeria in junior competitions.
The Adegboyega Efunkoya Sports Foundation is also continuing its effort to preserve the memory of Dr. Adegboyega Efunkoya, the former head of the Nigerian Table Tennis Federation whose ideas helped reshape the sport in the country.
Through its work in primary and secondary schools, the foundation remains focused on expanding junior participation in table tennis, with the wider ambition of taking Nigeria into the world’s top 10 nations in the sport.
