The Aruna Open Table Tennis Tournament is a highly anticipated event that is set to take place from November 29 to December 3 at Eko Club, Lagos.
This prestigious national open originated as a cadet championship but has since evolved into a significant platform for table tennis players from senior, junior, and cadet categories, both within and outside Lagos State, to showcase their skills.
The tournament is being organized by Aruna Sports Academy in collaboration with Eko Club and the Olusoga Odunayo Adesanya Foundation, with technical support from the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA).
The competition plays a crucial role in fostering the growth of table tennis in Nigeria, intending to unearth new talents and create opportunities for young players to shine.
Top players nationwide have already expressed keen interest in participating, heightening the competition’s level.
Former champions Tobi Adebakin and Kehinde Akanbi, who emerged victorious in the inaugural edition 2021, are eager to reclaim their titles and make their mark in this year’s competition.
Ganiat Aruna, the coordinator of the tournament, highlighted the overarching objectives behind the championships.
She emphasised the aspiration to discover and nurture talents akin to African champion Quadri Aruna.
Ganiat Aruna stated, “Our aim is to discover more talents by catching them young, as well as to discover more talents like Quadri Aruna in the near future.”
Beyond talent discovery, the tournament aims to promote physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle among children, addressing prevalent health issues such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
It also seeks to instil critical skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution, which will prepare participants for leadership roles in society.
Ganiat Aruna also emphasized the development of teamwork and leadership skills, fostering camaraderie and mutual respect among participants.
The competition will provide a national stage for both seasoned players and emerging talents to showcase their skills and contribute to the growth and development of table tennis in Nigeria.
