Ojaja Table Tennis Championships: Ooni set to grace final as quarterfinalists emerge

The maiden edition of the Ojaja Table Tennis Championships in Ile-Ife, Osun State, will reach its climax on Friday with the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, expected to grace the final.

The championship, organised to commemorate the popular Olojo Festival, entered its decisive stage on Thursday as quarterfinalists emerged following a keenly contested opening day featuring players from the six states of the South-West geopolitical zone.

The tournament attracted a blend of young and experienced players, including national and international representatives, as well as their coaches, in what organisers described as an effort to promote grassroots development and give talented players a platform to showcase their skills.

The Ooni’s elder brother, Prince Adegboyega Abimbola Ogunwusi, the Sooko La’ekun of Ile-Ife, was present on the opening day and welcomed participants to the ancient city.He also encouraged the players to take advantage of their visit by familiarising themselves with important historical sites within the palace and its environs.

Also present was the Ooni’s aunt, Professor Adebola Sobola, the Sooko Waboodu of Ile-Ife, who commended the organisers for bringing the tournament to the cradle of Yoruba civilisation.

Professor Sobola said she would not be surprised if the Ooni eventually established a permanent indoor table tennis facility within the palace, given his passion for sports and his commitment to youth development.

“What we’re seeing here today is so amazing, very unique, and this is the first time that we’re having it in Ile-Ife,” she said.“Having the crop of participants like this, international representatives, national representatives, their coaches, the players, both young and old, male and female, I give kudos to the organisers.“And for them to have been thoughtful of this idea that, let this thing come to the cradle of Yoruba land, to me, it’s a good thing. It’s a very noble idea. And it’s something that Kabiyesi is proud of. And all of us are so happy seeing them.”She added that the championship had given the Olojo Festival an additional dimension while recalling the Ooni’s personal connection with table tennis.

“We are having the Olojo Festival and it is going to add more colour and value to it. The Kabiyesi used to be a table tennis player and it is fun when you see him, especially using his left hand. I’m sure you’ll be so happy seeing this going on and, like he said, he’s going to join them on Friday.”

Professor Sobola also stressed the importance of using sports to positively engage young people and keep them away from social vices.“We the adults should continue to encourage the younger generation so that those potentials do not die because we know what’s obtained in our society today, in our schools and all of that.“When you engage the youth, you are removing them from the streets. You are removing them from being idle. You are removing them from isolation, which could cause depression, which could make them go into some nefarious activities.“And if we want to curb all of these things, all of us must come together and see how we can help them in one way or another.”

The OAU graduate expressed optimism that the championship would grow significantly in subsequent editions, describing the maiden tournament as only the beginning.“This is just like a tip of the iceberg. This is the first edition and the organisers are going to learn a lot from it,” she said.“And if I can predict, knowing him, the Ooni of Ife, for all you care, he probably might even decide to build a permanent site for them to be using instead of making use of this hall.”With the quarterfinalists now confirmed, attention has shifted to the business end of the competition, with the finalists expected to battle for honours in the presence of the Ooni on Friday.