As part of his commitment to the development of table tennis in Oyo state,the Chairman, Oyo State table tennis association,Dr Soji Tayo has handed a multi million table tennis hall to the Oyo State government.
During the commissioning of the new table tennis hall Monday at the Lekan Salami Stadium, the donor who expressed excitement at the he completion of the hall described it as a legacy to be left behind for table tennis players so as to improve their game and expose them to international standard.
According to Tayo who also doubles as the President ,Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), “it is not about infrastructure to me but about legacy one is leaving behind because the players will see this as where they can train and exhibit their talent and ensure they get to the podium and I am glad this dream has come to fruition. We have been on this for a while, now it has come to reality, and I pray the state maintains it. We have four world class table and floor which will be as good as it is now till anoda ten years, so in this hall anoda Aruna Quadri, Chief Waidi Ekun will be discovered,” he said.
In her remarks,the Honourable commissioner for youth and sports,Wasilat Adegoke, having thanked the donor, assured him that the facilities would be adequately and religiously maintained.
“To say we are grateful is an understatement but we really appreciate your kind gesture and the Governor himself is aware of this, this is to tell you that what u did for us in the state is noticed and we can’t run away from the fact that it will boost the performance of our athletes at notional n International stage,” she said.
Adegoke, however, assured that the facility will be adequately maintained and properly taken care of as she called on other well-meaning Nigerians to assist in any area they can.
The General Manager, Oyo State Sports Council, Mrs Olabisi Adegoke also thanked the donor and urged the athletes to make use of the facilities for the purpose it is meant for and not the other way round just as she admonished the coaches to train the players well so that the purpose of the facility will be achieved.
