The Chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association, Tunji Lawal, has raised alarms over the growing trend of players leaving Lagos to join other states, primarily due to insufficient support within the region.
According to The PUNCH, this migration has seen many top table tennis talents from Lagos being lured away by other states, such as Ogun, Delta, and Rivers, especially ahead of key national competitions.
This exodus has resulted in a noticeable decline in the number of high-caliber athletes representing Lagos, something Lawal finds deeply concerning.
“Most of our players are moving to other states, and we have lost many of our senior players to Ogun, Delta, and Rivers States,” Lawal lamented. “We need to develop new players, especially from the youth. This requires bringing in the necessary facilities to help them develop their skills. I hope we can achieve something with our ongoing efforts.”
Lagos has long been recognized as a powerhouse in Nigerian table tennis, producing a steady stream of talented players over the years.
However, Lawal stressed that to maintain this legacy, there needs to be a stronger commitment to nurturing new talent and providing them with the tools to succeed.
“We have players like Matthew Kuti and Muiz Adegoke, who started from cadet competitions and are now in the national teams,” Lawal noted, highlighting the potential within the state. “We want to develop new players and test them against others across the country.”
In a bid to address the current challenges, Lawal has personally contributed two table tennis boards, while the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, has also added one to the collection.
However, Lawal pointed out that these three tables are merely a starting point and far from adequate to meet the needs of the numerous players in Lagos.
“Lagos has a lot of players, and three tables are not enough,” he remarked. “We have to start somewhere, and I hope the Lagos State Governor will support us in developing better players.”
Lawal’s comments underscore the urgent need for increased investment in the sport at the grassroots level, ensuring that Lagos can continue to be a leading force in Nigerian table tennis.
