For the first time in its 57-year history, the annual Molade Okoya-Thomas Table Tennis Championships, the longest-running table tennis competition in Africa, will become a national event starting this year.
Initiated in 1968 by the late Sir Dr. Molade Okoya-Thomas, the tournament has produced some of Nigeria’s finest table tennis stars, including the legendary Atanda Musa, the late Yomi Bankole, Bose Kaffo, and the evergreen Olunfunke Oshonaike.
At a press conference marking the commencement of the 56th edition in Lagos on Thursday, January 23, Deji Okoya-Thomas announced that the family decided to expand the tournament to a national level due to numerous appeals from table tennis stakeholders within and outside Nigeria.
“This year is particularly special as the tournament will extend beyond Lagos State to become a national event for the first time since its inception in 1968. This decision comes in response to numerous appeals to allow the best players from across the country to compete in a supportive environment that brings out their best,” he said.