Top Nigerian para-athletes reaffirmed their dominance at the seventh edition of the ValueJet Lagos Para Table Tennis Championships, held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, where several defending champions retained their crowns in emphatic fashion.
Organised by the Sunday Odebode Para Sport Foundation and backed by the National Sports Commission, the championship drew participants from Nigeria, Togo, and the Benin Republic. For the first time, Togo made a significant impact, securing two bronze medals and signaling a growing competitive spirit across West Africa.
Among the standout performances was that of Isau Ogunkunle, Africa’s only medallist in para table tennis heading into the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Ogunkunle thrilled the Lagos crowd with a dominant 3-0 victory over Timothy Umeh to clinch the men’s class four title. His performance was a clear statement of readiness for the global stage in Paris.
Bolawa Akingbemisilu, another Tokyo 2020 Paralympian bound for Paris, comfortably retained his men’s class five title, overwhelming Lekan Abdullahi in straight sets. His consistency and power throughout the tournament reinforced his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most formidable para-athletes.
In the women’s singles, Faith Obiora maintained her reign in class five after defeating Kate Oputa in the final. In the absence of class 10 defending champion Faith Obazuaye, it was Ivie Edogiaweire who seized the opportunity, rising to the occasion and claiming the title in her class.
Elsewhere, Kehinde Lawal, the reigning African champion, showcased her prowess by topping the women’s class nine category. In the men’s draw, Olufemi Alabi, a bronze medallist at Tokyo 2020, clinched the class 10 title, while Abiola Adesope caused one of the tournament’s biggest upsets with a 3-2 win over Paralympic veteran Tajudeen Agunbiade in class nine.
Togo’s participation brought a fresh dynamic to the event. Atisso Amele earned her nation’s first medals at the tournament—bronzes in both the women’s singles and doubles in class five—making a memorable debut for the West African nation.
Since its inception in 2019, the ValueJet-sponsored tournament has become a cornerstone in Nigeria’s para-sport calendar, playing a pivotal role in national team selections and providing athletes with critical match experience.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Kunle Soname, Chairman of ValueJet, reiterated the airline’s dedication to promoting inclusivity through sport. “We are proud to support these incredible athletes and to continue investing in opportunities that empower individuals with disabilities,” he said.
With the Paris 2024 Paralympics approaching, the championship offered a valuable platform for athletes to fine-tune their skills and gain competitive momentum. As para-sports continue to grow across Africa, the ValueJet Lagos Para Table Tennis Championships remain a beacon for talent, resilience, and regional camaraderie.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
