An international trade expert and youth development enthusiast, Adekunle Ayoola, has called for more investment in sports, particularly Table Tennis, describing it as a game that could be developed to empower the teeming youth.
Ayoola frowned at the neglect of “the catch them young” for the pingpong game saying that time is now for the individual, corporate organisations and government to take more than passing interest in supporting the development of this game in the country.
Ayoola disclosed this on Friday while speaking with our correspondent during the Adekunle and Adesoji Table Tennis Championship of Ijebu-Ode Club.
He said “Table Tennis is another game, like a gold mine that must be developed in the country. We have all come to understand that sport is now a morning spinning venture that could be use to empower our youths.
“We all can see what Tobi Amusan is doing on the track on the international globe. I and my brother, Mr Adesoji Ogunade have decided to sponsor this tournament which is the second edition as a way of giving back to the society and fostering spirit of oneness among Nigerians. Those that participated are members of Ibadan Tennis Club, Abeokuta Sport Club and Ijebu-Ode Club.”
One of the sponsors of the tournament, Adesoji Ogunade said “We are doing this to contribute to the fitness of Nigerians, we are doing this as a form of giving back to the society and most importantly, to arouse further development in sporting activities.
“It is our desire to take the tennis to schools, we want to use it to empower the young ones and even take them outside the country to go make good money for themselves. We sincerely hope hope that government, individuals and organisations will continue to see sport as a fertile ground to invest in. This will help to reduce so much of unemployment in the land and curb the way and manner our youths channel their energies into unproductive ventures”.
The Chairman, Planning Committee of the tournament, Kazeem Ogunbanjo, lauded the sponsors of the tournament saying that the kind gesture would surely impact positively on the development of the table tennis in Ijebu land and the country as a whole.
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