WINNERS EMERGE AS 2ND SHAIBU MOHAMMED NORTH-CENTRAL ZONAL TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP ENDS IN GRAND STYLE

The 2nd edition of the Shaibu D. Mohammed North-Central Zonal Table Tennis Championship came to a thrilling conclusion on Saturday, 14th December, 2024, at the Lafia Sports Arena, formerly known as Lafia City Hall, with the emergence of winners, silver and bronze medalists, respectively.

The two-day tournament which featured six States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, witnessed intense competition in various categories, including Men's and Women's Singles, CadetBoys' and Girls', and Mixed Doubles' events.

In the Men's Singles' Category, Abdulfatai Abdulbasit from Kwara State emerged as Champion, defeating Abdulrahman Abdullahi from Niger State in a thrilling final match.

Abdulfatai was presented with a trophy and Two Hundred Thousand Naira(N200,000.00) prize money, while the runner-up got the cash prize of One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira(N120,000.00).

The duo of Timileyin Ajibade and Mustapha Bello settled for the Bronze medal, and presented with the cash prize of Fifty Thousand Naira(N50,000.00) each.

In the Women's Singles Category, Sukurat Aiyelabagon  from Kwara State won the gold medal, defeating, Ize Seuzo  from Kogi State in the final match. Sukurat also received a trophy and cash prize of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000.09), while Ize got One Hundred Thousand Naira(N100,000.00) as cash prize.

Toyin Jimoh from Kogi State and David Grace from FCT, Abuja, clinched the bronze medal and got Forty Thousand Naira(N40,000.00) each.

In the Boys' Cadet Category, Samuel Dada from Kogi State clinched the gold medal, and got the cash prize of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira(N150,000.00) and a trophy, while Marvelous Joseph(Kogi) settled for the silver medal and a cash prize of One Hundred Thousand Naira(N100,000.00).

Dominion Joseph and Joseph Victor(both from Kogi) scooped the bronze medal and prize money of Forty Thousand Naira(N40,000.00) each.

For the Girls' Cadet Category, Ize Seuzo from Kogi State won gold medal, a trophy, and cash prize of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira(N150,000.00), while Sheedu Awawu from Kwara State got One Hundred Thousand Naira(N100,000.00) for coming second.

Both Agnes Friday(Kogi State) and Rachael Bello(Niger State) got Forty Thousand Naira(N40,000.00) each for emerging joint third.

In the Mixed Doubles' category, Sukurat Aiyelabagon (Kwara) and Abdulfatai Abdulbasit(Kwara) won the gold medal and went away with the cash sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira(N100,000.00) to be shared between them.

The duo of Kogi State's Timileyin Ajibade and Ize Seuzo settled for the silver medal and will share a cash prize of Seventy Thousand Naira(N70,000.00).

While FCT Abuja's pair of Abayomi and Grace David clinched the bronze medal attached with the cash prize of Forty Thousand Naira(N40,000.00) which they will both share.

The closing ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including Honourable Jafaru Ango, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nasarawa State, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan, who commended the organizers and participants for a successful tournament.

"I wish to appreciate and commend the convener and sponsor of this championship, Shaibu Mohammed, for his passion for the growth and development of the Table Tennis sport.

"I congratulate all the participating States and athletes for the wonderful exhibition of talents and desire to be among the best in the sport. For me, you are all winners.

"We pray and hope to see you standing on the podium as champions in world table tennis championships.

"As a State, we will continue to do our best to provide the needed supports to our sports men and women to compete favourably with their counterparts around the world.

"We will be more than ready to host this championship again and again in subsequent editions."

Earlier, sponsor of the tournament, Shaibu Mohammed, expressed his appreciation to the participants and the Nasarawa State Government for being a worthy host.

"I want to congratulate all the participants, especially the winners, for making this event memorable.

"We will be preparing to make ourselves available for the 2025 edition, God willing.

"Very soon, we will unveil the host State for the 2025 edition of the competition. Let us hope it is going to be Nasarawa State again.

"Nasarawa State has demonstrated to be a great host, and we can't thank the Government and people of the State enough.

"We extend our deepest gratitude to the Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, for providing us with the right facility and environment to successfully host this championship.

"We also thank the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for their marvelous support throughout the championship.

"We can't also forget the Media for projecting us and the event to the world.

"Let's do this again, come next year.

"God bless you all and safe journey to your various destinations."

The Coordinator, North Central Zone of the National Sports Commission, Saka Akeem, alongside Directors from the Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development as well as Directors of Sports from participating States also attended the grand finale.

The Championship was the brainchild of Shaibu D. Mohammed, in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Government.

Highpoint of the closing ceremony was the presentation of Certificate of Participation to each participant by the Organizers.