by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF Africa Press Officer
Determined, Bose Odusanya, won the Women’s Singles event for the fourth consecutive time, she beat Nimota Aregbesola in the final (11-5, 6-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 12-10).
“I’m very happy winning the tournament again this year. I’m really grateful to God for helping me to win and I’m so excited. Of course I want to play at international tournaments abroad and emulate the likes of Bose Kaffo and Olufunke Oshonaike. The final was tough because my opponent is also a very good player. She plays with anti-spin and when you play against her, it is always difficult. So I’m really grateful to God for coming out victorious. During the match, I was just praying that God should help because I was really tired at the end of the third game and that’s why I lost the fourth.” Bose Odusanya
Meanwhile in the Men’s Singles event, Davis Fayele, the runner up last year emerged successful; he beat Olajide Omotayo to secure the title (4-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 12-10), a player in form. The winner in 2013, he had reached the final without the loss of a single game.
“Losing the final last year, I was very sad but I am so happy to win the 50th edition of the tournament against an experienced player like Olajide Omotayo, who came all the way from Italy to play in the tournament. The only player I fear in Nigeria is Quadri Aruna because he plays like a lion.” David Fayele
A most successful tournament, one which was initiated in 1968 by the late Sir Molade Alexander Okoya-Thomas and has been held ever since that date without fail on an annual basis. Deji Okoya-Thomas affirmed that family support for the event would continue.
“The Championship has to continue because it is a legacy. Something that was a passion for the initiator and has become a passion for us and we will surely keep it going. The good of it is that every year, young talents keep coming. We saw a five-year-old who graced the championship this year; five to 10 years down the lane, she will come and win the intermediate and the senior championships. So you can see the good of the Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup.” Deji Okoya-Thomas
An impressive five year old, the player in question was Semilore Owoiya; most certainly, she caught the eye.
Semilore Owoiya, only five years old, caught the eye (Photo: courtesy of Olalekan Okusan)