Gateway Career Services table tennis championship ends at Ikoyi Club 1938

The table tennis section of the prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938 came alive on Thursday, December 12, 2024 when the week long Gateway Career Services table tennis championship came to a successful conclusion.
Organised to help members keep fit, burn out calories and compete amongst themselves in a relaxed atmosphere, the tournament according to the Chairman of the section, Dare Olude brought out the best in the participants just as he commended the sponsor for partnering with the club to move the game forward.
” I’m highly delighted that this tournament is coming in less than two.months after we organised the Alake of Egbaland championship and it’s a thing of joy that our members showed good sign of sportsmanship throughout the duration of the tournament.
“It’s equally important that I commend the sponsors for believing in us as the leading socio cultural recreation club in the country and bringing the tournament to the club and we’re looking forward to a more robust relationship with them.
Chairman of Ikoyi Club 1938, Tafa Zibiri- Aliu expressed his appreciation to the Chairman and Captain of the section, Dare Olude and Okechi Ugoji for ensuring there’s no dull moment in the section just as he commented the sponsors for hosting the competition; saying that the club is grateful to them.
In their separate remarks the sponsor of the tournament, Bodunde Adegboyega and his wife, Abisola Adegboyega explained that their love for the ping pong game made them sponsor the tournament with an assurance that the second edition will be more glamorous.
According to them, they’re encouraged by the large turnout of participants and the quality of the game noting that their company will be willing to sponsor the second edition next year.

Meanwhile at the end of hostilities, A. Owolabi defeated T. Obileye in the Septua Veteran Singles event by 4-2 of 11-7, 11-6, 11-9, 10-12, 3-11 and 11-7 to be crowned champion of the tournament.
In the Men’s Singles, Buhari Aliu defeated Elochukwu Nwankwo by 3-2 of 6-11, 11-4, 5-11, 11-6 and 14-12 to be declared winner while in the Veterans 60+, Chief Wale Soetan won the event by defeating Alhaji M.K. Salami by 3-1 of 10-12, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8 to be declared winner just as A. Adeyemi and Elochukwu Nwankwo defeated L.Shittu and S. Egube to win the Men’s Doubles event.
The Ladies finals was a one sided affair as Mrs. Tewogbade dominated the game to make it 3-0 of 13-11, 11-8, 11-3 against Mrs. Dada to be crowned champion.
Speaking on his victory, Buhari Aliu described it as evidence of hard work with a promise to be around next year to defend the title.
Buhari who overcame back ache to defeat his hard fighting opponent commended the sponsor for putting their money in the competition; saying that the victory will challenge him to work harder so as to emerge victorious in subsequent editions

On his own part, winner of Veteran Singles event A. Owolabi gave God all the Glory for making him emerge victorious even as he also expressed appreciation to the sponsor for coming up with such a wonderful competition.
At the end of the event, trophies and cash prizes were presented to the winners.