The second National Table Tennis Classic Invitational that started last week

The second National Table Tennis Classic Invitational that started last week at the Table Tennis Section of the Lagos Country Club ended on Saturday with Kazeem Makanjuola of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as champion.

Makanjuola, ranked number 7 in the country, defeated the 2012 National Sports Festival men’s singles champion, Ganiyu Ashimiyu, 4-2 in a very entertaining final.

Ashimiyu, exhibiting confidence, had looked set to clinch the trophy when he won the first game of the final. He however lost steam midway and got punished for it by losing three straight games to his opponent who eventually won the championship.

Makanjuola cruised to the final by defeating Kayode Adedeji 4-1, while Ashimiyu beat Gbenga Anthony 4-2 to qualify for the final.

Rashidat Ogundele, also of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, won the women’s event after beating Hussein Alimat 4-0 in the final. Ogundele had beaten Aminat Fashola 4-0 in the semi final to set up a final with Hussien who defeated Tinuke Olaide 4-2 in the second semi final. Hussien was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

The competition which is organised by the National Table Tennis Federation is hosted by the Table Tennis Section of the Lagos Country Club and sponsored by Femi George and Friends. It features, by invitation, national players based in the country ranked between 1 and 40.

Femi George, coordinating sponsor of the tournament who is also the Secretary General of the Lagos Country Club, said that the invitational is aimed at showcasing the abundant talents Nigeria has in the game and encouraging them.