Azeez Sholanke has emerged as Bayelsa State Table Tennis’s number-one ranked player after the association’s ranking series in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital.
Sholanke beat captain and Nigeria number eight Samuel Boboye 3-1 to dethrone Boboye who had earlier beaten Etim Orok to set up Azeez and Boboye clash.
Azeez Sholanke’s victory means that Sholanke is the highest-ranked player in the State according to a ranking released by the Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association on Thursday at the Samson Siasia Stadium multipurpose hall.
Boboye now dropped to second on the pecking order following the defeat, Matthew John on third while Etim Orok who won gold at the Alabi Memorial table tennis championship finished 4th, and Oweifa Nurudeen Sholanke on 5th.
Kogi State Victor Joseph finished first in the under-15 category followed by Bayelsa Kemala Victor who came second, Samuel Ojo could only manage third and Delta State Olawale Abdulmailk finished fourth.
Godspower Moses popularly known as “Leave Am For Me” clinched the para-table tennis ticket just as Bobo Oziri in the deaf table tennis.
The association presented trophies of previous tournaments to the body to the Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council Sir Braveman Wodi.
The tournament won includes the Michael Felicia and Alabi Memorial Table Tennis championship in Osogbo, Osun State, Reis Table Tennis championship, Lagos as well as Offiong Edem Mini Table Tennis tournament in Cross Rivers State.
In a remark, the Director of Bayelsa State Sports Council Sir Braveman Wodi, said since Ama-Ebi assumed office as chairman of the Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association the association has achieved a lot, describing it as a novel.
Sir Wodi noted that table tennis in the last few years has given Bayelsa State international recognition with the discovery of Samuel Boboye and other tennis players, stating that he is pleased with the level of progress the sport has made.
He commended the chairman for his passion and commitment to ensuring that table tennis thrives in the State.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association Mr Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade, said the target was to make table tennis competitive in Bayelsa and beyond, urging all the players to marry the sports with their education.
He asserted that table tennis would soon become Bayelsa sport as it is often described as a Western sport, expressing confidence in the current team.
Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade lauded Governor Senator Diri Douye and his deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Chief Daniel Igali, and the Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi for their continuous support for the association.
