By Dorcas Francis Koji
The Lagos State Table Tennis Association has revived its monthly cadet tournament as part of efforts to discover, develop and nurture the next generation of table tennis stars in the state.
The competition is scheduled to return on Saturday, August 23, at the Lagos Country Club in Ikeja, providing young players with a regular platform to compete and gain valuable experience.
LSTTA Chairman, Tunji Lawal, stressed that consistent competition was crucial to the development of young athletes and their progression to the elite level.
“Players need regular competition to develop and fulfil their potential,” Lawal said.
According to the association chairman, the monthly tournament will help young players improve their confidence, match temperament and ability to perform under competitive pressure from an early age.
He pointed to the development of players such as Matthew Kuti, Muiz Adegoke and Sultan Agunbiade as examples of how structured grassroots programmes can help produce athletes capable of representing Nigeria at the highest level.
Lawal noted that the progress of such players demonstrated the importance of providing young talents with regular competitive opportunities instead of waiting for major championships before testing their abilities.
The tournament will also give coaches an opportunity to assess the players in competitive situations while promoting discipline, healthy rivalry and commitment among the young athletes.
Beyond medals and recognition, the association plans to monitor outstanding performers for possible inclusion in Lagos State teams.
“As the programme grows and attracts greater sponsorship, we intend to strengthen the incentives available to outstanding players, including equipment and other forms of developmental support,” Lawal said.
He explained that the initiative was designed as more than a series of monthly competitions, with the ultimate objective of creating a sustainable pathway for young table tennis players in Lagos and contributing to the growth of the sport in Nigeria.
“This tournament is not just about producing monthly winners. It is about discovering tomorrow’s champions,” Lawal said.
The revival of the tournament is expected to provide a consistent competitive environment for young players while strengthening the foundation for future success at state, national and international levels.
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