By Vivian Ahanmisi
Lagos, Dec. 21, 2025
In a compelling narrative of redemption and rising talent, Matthew Kuti and Sukurat Aiyelabegan stormed back to the top of the podium at the third Daniel Ford Elite Invitational Table Tennis Tournament in Lagos. The event, held at the iconic Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, has solidified its reputation as a premier crucible for Nigeria’s next generation of table tennis champions.
The tournament’s significance was underscored by the presence of high-profile dignitaries, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission. Their attendance highlighted the growing recognition of grassroots sports development as a vital national endeavor.
Dominant Champions Reclaim Their Thrones
The finals were a masterclass in focus and skill. Matthew Kuti delivered a statement performance, dismantling Muiz Adegoke with a decisive 4-0 victory to reclaim the Boys’ U-19 title he lost in 2024. Kuti’s dominant run throughout the tournament, characterized by near-flawless technique and mental fortitude, marks his second U-19 crown in the championship’s three-year history. This positions him not just as a tournament winner, but as a consistent force in Nigerian junior table tennis.
Mirroring this feat, Sukurat Aiyelabegan showcased her own brand of supremacy in the Girls’ U-19 category. Her comprehensive 4-0 win over Khadijat Okanlawon was a powerful reassertion of her talent, securing her second title in three years. For both Kuti and Aiyelabegan, this victory was more than a gold medal; it was a resilient response to past setbacks, a quality essential for any aspiring elite athlete.
A Deep Bench of Emerging Talent
Beyond the headline acts, the tournament revealed the impressive depth of Nigeria’s youth table tennis pipeline. The results tell the story of a thriving ecosystem:
- Chinenye Okafor retained her Girls’ U-15 title and earned the Female Most Valuable Player award, demonstrating both current excellence and future potential.
- Habeeb Adebayo emerged as a double winner, claiming the Boys’ MVP honor and the U-12 boys’ singles crown, signaling the arrival of a versatile young star.
- Elizabeth Emelike (Girls’ U-12) and Joseph Marvelous of Kogi (Boys’ U-15) further illustrated the nationwide geographic spread of talent being nurtured.
The Visionary Behind the Vision
The driving force of the event, sponsor Yemi Edun, provided crucial context for its importance. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Edun connected his personal history to his philanthropic mission. “I grew up around this venue and watched competitions here. I was never a great athlete, but I enjoyed watching others excel,” he shared, highlighting a common thread in sports development: those who play and those who enable play are equally vital.
Edun, who spent nearly three decades in England, articulated a clear, strategic vision. He described table tennis as an ideal grassroots sport for individual development and champion grooming. His ultimate goal is to “nurture players who can represent Nigeria and follow the path of stars like Aruna Quadri”—a reference to Nigeria’s world-ranked superstar who serves as the aspirational benchmark for every young player at the tournament.
“The vision is to nurture players who can represent Nigeria and follow the path of stars like Aruna Quadri,” Edun stated, framing the tournament not as an end in itself, but as the first critical step on a pathway to international glory.
Official Endorsement and a Call to Integrity
Governor Sanwo-Olu praised Edun’s sustained commitment, noting, “This is what grassroots sports development requires—consistency and private-sector partnership.” He also issued a crucial admonition to the athletes, urging them to embrace discipline, hard work, and to strictly avoid doping—a timely message that aligns with global sporting integrity standards and prepares these juniors for the rigorous demands of professional sport.
The third edition of the Daniel Ford Tournament has proven to be more than a competition; it is a functioning model for sustainable talent discovery. With a sponsor committed to annual hosting, a proven track record of identifying stars, and the backing of state officials, the event stands as a beacon of hope for Nigerian table tennis. As Edun looks ahead to “discovering talents to develop over the next two to three years,” the nation can watch with anticipation, knowing the future of its paddling prowess is being forged today on the tables of Lagos.
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
Source: NAN News
