Abdullahi Rasheed Olusola on Friday emerged champion of the third edition of the Table Tennis Section of International Tobacco Company (ITC) Club, after beating Tope Adeogun three straight sets, 11-6, 12-10 and 11-9.
Abdullahi, popularly known as Eto Rasheed, had earlier defeated Bolanta Kazeem 3-0 in the first semi-final. Tope Adeogun also defeated Dr. Steve Olarinoye 3-0 in the second semi-final.
Even though the semi-final losers jointly won third prizes, the third place match, which was played to ensure final classification was won by Bolanta, who defeated Dr Steve Olarinoye by three sets to one.
The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji and Coach Kasali Lasisi entertained the guests in an exhibition match played to add colour to the ocassion.
Also present at the ocassion are the Chairman, Kwara House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Hon. Kunle Awolola, Mallam Bola Mogaji, the Administrator of Kwara Football Academy, Mallam Bako Ibrahim and the Board member of Sports Commission, Dele Abubakar, who all got medals of honour.
Also honoured at the gathering are the Chairman of the Sports Committee of the Club, Elder James Aboyeji, Engr. Adeyinka Adedamola, Opoola Nurudeen Olabisi, Engr. Ilufoye, Coach Kasali Lasisi and the Captain of the Table Tennis Section of the Club, Dr. Steve Olarinoye.
Hon. Kunle Awolola and Mallam Bola Mogaji pledged support to the competition, even as Mallam Bola Mogaji charged the Club to encourage the participation of female players in future competition.
The winner, Eto Rasheed, who ha won it back to back, commended the other players for putting up a good fight, to make the competition interestingly competitive.
Eto Rasheed was former Nigeria Junior table tennis champion, and represented the state in the Kwara ’85, Rivers ’88 and Lagos ’89 editions of the National Sports Festival. He also represented the country in the ping pong game.
