‘From Oyo to the World’: NAOS scouts next Aruna Quadri in Youth Table Tennis competition
In a bid to discover and nurture future table tennis stars like Aruna Quadri, the National Association of Oyo Students (NAOS) Judiciary arms organized an Inter-Secondary School Table Tennis Competition to mark Children’s Day and promote youth engagement in sports beyond football.
The competition, held at the Oba Adeyemi Mini Stadium, Ode Aremo, Oyo, was hosted by the NAOS National Judiciary under the leadership of Justice Afolabi Sheu Tijani, and sponsored by the association’s former National General Secretary, Engr. Olushina Ijadunola Hammad.
In his lecture, Prince Ayobami Sunday Ladigbolu, PhD, walked attendees through the history of table tennis while highlighting key traits required for success in the sport. He emphasized that physical agility, mental alertness, observational skills, passion, accuracy, and effectiveness are not only critical to excelling in table tennis but are also applicable in various areas of life.
According to Dr. Ayo Sanda, “Table tennis originated from lawn tennis as an indoor game. Initially, it was referred to as ‘ping pong’ and ‘whiff waff’ before gaining global recognition as a sport and officially named Table Tennis during the 1988 Olympic Games.”
He identified three core attributes necessary to play table tennis effectively, physical agility, mental alertness, and observational skills, noting that these traits also mirror what is required to navigate life’s challenges successfully. He drew parallels between sports and real life, explaining that just as players must stay alert and agile to win points, individuals must be equally responsive and adaptable to achieve personal goals.
Dr. Sanda also encouraged participants to emulate international stars like Ma Long and Aruna Quadri, highlighting their commitment to hard work, discipline, and consistency. “These champions didn’t just rise overnight,” he said. “Their rise was built on years of dedication and endless practice. That same energy must be put into anything you aspire to become.”
He added that Nigeria, especially Oyo State, has a unique opportunity to become a powerhouse in table tennis if young talents are properly supported. “We must invest in grassroots sports development, just as we invest in academics. Sports also offer a pathway to global relevance.”
In an interview with Standard Times Nigeria, NAOS National President, AbdulQudus Opeyemi Taiwo, said the competition aims to bring attention to sports other than football. “Our youth are gifted in many areas, but only football gets the spotlight. This event is to discover those hidden gems in table tennis and other sports.”
He stressed that the association has plans to extend this talent identification program to other sports such as basketball and athletics. “This is just the beginning,” Taiwo said. “We want to consistently host competitions that identify and showcase our youth’s talents and let the world know Oyo has more champions in the making.”
The host of the event, Justice Afolabi Sheu Tijani, emphasized that the competition was more than just a celebration of Children’s Day, it was a strategic effort to discover and develop young talents for future opportunities. “This event is not just for fun. It’s part of a long-term plan to identify talents, nurture them, and present them to the world.”
He reiterated NAOS Judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that discovered talents are not abandoned after the event. “We will leverage our platform to seek partnerships and sponsorships that can keep these young athletes motivated. We intend to follow up with mentorship, equipment provision, and participation in national tournaments.”
Justice Tijani also revealed that participants were awarded certificates of participation, along with cash prizes of ₦25,000, ₦15,000, and ₦10,000 for first, second, and third place winners respectively. “We wanted to reward their efforts and inspire them to take the sport seriously,” he said.
He concluded by urging local governments and stakeholders in Oyo State to support similar initiatives. “When we invest in children through education and sports, we build a stronger, safer, and more productive society.”
