Freedom Park table tennis championship serves off in Lagos

By Ifeanyi Eduzor
Lovers of the game of table tennis in Lagos Island and it’s environs had something to celebrate their weekend with when they were treated to the best action in ping pong game as the maiden edition of the Freedom Park table tennis championship served off Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Freedom Park arena, Broad Street, Lagos.
Tagged ‘ Ileya Fiesta’ the tournament attracted some of the best and upcoming players in the area who displayed their knowledge of the game with good serves and back strokes to the admiration of the appreciative crowd who came out to cheer them to victory.
In some of the preliminary matches decided, Ajagbe Rasheed recorded a 3-1 victory of 10-12, 11-7,11-5 and 11-8 over Gafaar Aderomu while David Subi beat Afolabi Lekan by 3-0 of 12-10, 11-3 and 11-5 with Adekunle Oyedumi recording a 12-10, 6-11,11-7 and 11-4 victory over Bedemi Bakare just as Tobi Adebakin recorded a 3-0 victory of 11-9, 12-10, 11-4 over his challenger, Adeniyi Samuel.
In the quarter-finals, Ajagbe Rasheed beat Daniel Olawole by 3-0 of 11-8, 11-3 ,11-8 with Tobi Adebakin recording 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 victory over Samson Ologunro.
The only female player who got bye in the tournament, Esther Fadahunse lost by 3-1 of 12-10, 5-11, 9-11, 7-11 to her male opponent, Alaba Balogun.
In what could be described as final before the finals, David Subi defeated hard fighting, Adekunle Oyedumi by 3-2 with the result reading 11-6, 6-11, 12-10, 7-11, 19-17 to book a ticket in the semi- finals.
The semi-finals and finals of the tournament comes up Sunday, June, 25 at the same venue.
Winner of the two day competition will go home with N100,000 while the first and second runners-up will be N75,000 and N50,000 richer.
There will also be raffle draws on the final day with the successful winner going home with an Ileya ram while there will be other consolation prizes to be won by fans.