Home Sports Ogunkunle, Alabi Lead Paralympic Stars at Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup

Ogunkunle, Alabi Lead Paralympic Stars at Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup

by Inclusive News Network

Paralympians Isau Ogunkunle and Olufemi Alabi delivered stellar performances at the 56th Molade Okoya-Thomas National Table Tennis Championships, reinforcing their dominance in the sport.

The event, held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, featured some of Nigeria’s best table tennis talents.

Ogunkunle, the only African to secure a table tennis medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, showcased his class with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Bolawa Akingbemisilu, earning the Men’s Singles Class 1-5 title. Alabi, a Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist, displayed similar excellence, overcoming Abiola Adesope 3-1 to clinch the Class 6-10 championship.

The women’s categories saw intense battles as well. Kehinde Lawal triumphed in the Women’s Singles Class 6-10, securing a 3-1 win over Mariam Popoola. Meanwhile, Kate Oputa of Delta dominated the Women’s Singles Class 1-5, defeating Taiwo Oyinloye of Kwara by the same margin.

As the tournament progresses, top-ranked players Matthew Kuti and Sukurat Aiyelabegan are eager to assert their dominance. Kuti, fresh from a silver medal finish at the 2023 African Games, remains focused. “I’ve had a strong run in recent competitions, but I won’t let my guard down. This is a national stage, and I want to prove myself,” he stated.

Aiyelabegan also expressed confidence despite the tough competition. “This tournament gathers the best players in Nigeria, making every match a challenge. But I am prepared to give my all and fight for the title,” she remarked.

The quarterfinals for the Men’s and Women’s Singles are set for today, leading to the finals on February 1.

Adding to the event’s significance, former Congolese international Saka Suraju reminisced about his experience competing in Africa’s longest-running table tennis tournament. He praised the Okoya-Thomas family for sustaining its legacy.

“In the 1990s, I reached the final but lost to Hakeem Hassan. Back then, only the elite competed here, and winning meant everything. Many Nigerian stars rose from this tournament, and if you wanted to join the national team, this was the place to prove yourself. It’s great to see the event continue after Chief Okoya-Thomas’s passing,” he said.

With the competition heating up, all eyes are now on the upcoming final matches, where Nigeria’s best will battle for top honours.

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