Amadi Omeh showed why he is the best home-based player in the country after a hard-fought win over Rilwan Akanbi, just as Aminat Fashola beat Sukurat Ayelabegan to emerge champions at the third Quadri Aruna National Table Tennis Open, which ended in Lagos last weekend.
The five-day tournament was organised by Aruna Sports and Academy, in collaboration with Eko Club and Olusoga Odunayo Adesanya Foundation, with over 300 players across the country taking part in the N5m prize money championships hosted by Eko Club in Surulere, Lagos.
The well-attended final had all the elements of a grand finale as Omeh showed class against fans’ favourite Akanbi to emerge the new men’s singles champion.
Despite not getting enough support from the Lagos fans, Omeh had in the semi-final beaten 2022 champion Muiz Adegoke, before setting up the final clash with homeboy Akanbi.
Before the epic final between Omeh and Akanbi, Fashola’s change of tactics against the defensive Ayelabegan was all she needed to win the women’s singles title 4-2 and become the new women’s singles champion after her opponent had bundled out 2022 champion Bose Odusanya in the semis.
The men’s singles final produced one of the finest moments of the competition with Omeh and Akanbi entertaining the fans and dignitaries that witnessed the explosive finale.
Playing with a lot of confidence, Omeh nearly scuttled his opportunity to be crowned the champion as his opponent began to find his feet to stretch the match to more than an hour. Wrong decision making, coupled with several unforced errors, was the undoing of Akanbi, to the disappointment of the home fans.
Omeh attributed his victory to determination and perseverance amid the fans overwhelming support of his opponent during the encounter.
“I thank God I won but it wasn’t easy because everything was against me, especially the fans. I am happy and I am looking to the next competition before the end of the year,” he said.
For the coordinator of the tournament, Ganiat Aruna, the huge support from well-meaning Nigerians and turnout of players would inspire them to improve on subsequent editions.
