Former Commonwealth and African champion, Atanda Musa, has once again demonstrated his commitment to revitalizing table tennis in Nigeria with the successful hosting of the inaugural National Cadet Invitational Championships. Musa, who generously funded the two-day tournament, expressed his satisfaction with the high level of play displayed by the young participants. He has pledged to make this tournament an annual event on the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) calendar, showcasing and nurturing the talents of the country’s budding table tennis stars.
The tournament featured the top 16 boys and 16 girls from the 5th Efunkoya Cadet Championships, who were invited to compete in the prestigious Atanda Musa Invitational Championships held at the Lagos Country Club. The finals of the tournament were graced by the presence of former table tennis stars, including two-time African champion Kasali Lasisi and Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, highlighting the significance of the event in the Nigerian table tennis community.
An enthusiastic Musa expressed his delight with the competition, praising the exceptional talent displayed by the young players. He emphasized the need for further development to enable them to compete effectively on the international stage. Musa sees this tournament as his way of giving back to society and urged his former colleagues to join him in reviving the sport that has shaped their lives. He emphasized the importance of elevating table tennis in Nigeria and assured that the tournament would become a regular platform for unearthing and supporting new talents, thereby assisting the NTTF in their developmental efforts.
Commissioner Omotosho commended Musa for his initiative, expressing optimism that such efforts would help in finding immediate replacements for the aging players in the national teams. The support and recognition from key figures in the Nigerian sports community further underscore the significance of Musa’s commitment to the development of table tennis in the country.
In the competition itself, Faruq Hussein of Kwara State showcased his dominance by claiming the top cadet boys‘ title in both the Efunkoya Cadet Championships and the Atanda Musa Invitational Championships. Just three days after securing the Efunkoya title, Hussein displayed his skill and determination by defeating Abdulahamid Adebayo of Lagos in a thrilling final, emerging victorious with a 3-1 (4-11, 13-11, 11-3, 12-10) scoreline. In the girls‘ category, Khadijat Musa of Osun emerged as the champion after a hard-fought battle against Funmilayo Ojo of Ondo, winning 3-1 and solidifying her status as a rising star in Nigerian table tennis.
The success of the National Cadet Invitational Championships and the continued commitment of Atanda Musa to the development of table tennis in Nigeria serve as a beacon of hope for the future of the sport in the country. With dedicated individuals like Musa leading the way, the Nigerian table tennis community can look forward to a bright future filled with talent, passion, and success on the global stage.