Amadi Umeh showed why he is the best local-based player in the country after a hard-fought win over Rilwan Akanbi just as Aminat Fashola had an overwhelming win over Sukurat Ayelabegan to emerge champions at the 3rd Quadri Aruna National Table Tennis Open which ended in Lagos at the weekend.
The five-day tournament saw over 300 players across the country toking 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 Umeh showed class against the fans’ favourite Akanbi to emerge as the new men’s singles champion.
Despite not getting enough support from the Lagos fans, Umeh had in the semi-final beaten 2022 champion, Muiz Adegoke before setting up a final clash against homeboy Akanbi.
Before the epic final between Umeh and Akanbi, Fashola’s change of tactics against defensive Ayelabegan was all she needed to win the women’s singles title at 4-2 and become the new champion after her opponent had bundled out 2022 champion, Bose Odusanya in the semifinal.
The men’s singles final produced one of the finest moments of the competition with Umeh and Akanbi entertaining the fans and dignitaries that witnessed the explosive finale.
Playing with a lot of confidence Umeh nearly scuttled his opportunity to be crowned the champion as his opponent began to demystify his tactics to stretch the match to more than an hour. Wrong decision coupled with several unforced errors became the undoing of Akanbi who squandered his chance to hand the title to Umeh to the disappointment of the home fans.
Umeh however, attributed his victory to determination and perseverance amidst the 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 forward 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 overwhelming turnout of players would inspire them to improve on subsequent editions.