New table tennis edifice will raise champions in Osun, says Alabi

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Chairman of Osun State Table Tennis Association, Mr. Ayo Alabi, has explained why he built a standard table tennis edifice in Osogbo, the state capital.

Alabi, who was the guest at the ‘Stakeholders’ Forum’, a monthly guest appearance event of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Osun State on Wednesday said the place was constructed to raise champions in table tennis.

The table tennis promoter also disclosed that he was motivated to promote the game because he was given a scholarship to university level because of his participation in the game. 

According to him, the state of the art facility was built at the Osogbo township stadium to support government efforts in sports development and create a functional arena where people can come and enjoy the game.

He said: “We constructed this edifice to raise champions in table tennis from Osun. This is because the only way to empower the youth is to create a platform to showcase their skills and assist them to grow in it. This can only happen if required facilities are put in place.

“Osun has potentials to do well in table tennis and other games but facilities to groom these athletes are not there. This is why I decided to construct the edifice as part of my family’s social responsibility to give back to my state.”

Alabi said that Governor Gboyega Oyetola would officially commission and open the facility for use on Saturday.

Speaking on what Osun people should expect, Alabi said: “We are going to host all categories of table tennis competitions from primary to university here. There will be Principal’s Table Tennis Competition, Governor’s Table Tennis Cup and many others that will assist our youth and make the place lively.

“We will also have a table tennis Academy where young talents will be nurtured to international level. With these, we are confident that Osun will soon raise champions in table tennis.”

Also speaking, Chairman of SWAN, Timothy Agbor, and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports Development, Vincent Akinbami commended Alabi for deciding to build the structure at the Osogbo township stadium, which is always accessible to athletes.

Agbor noted that Osun SWAN was ready to work with him to promote competitions that would be held in the facility.