Winners Emerge At Maiden Ogun SWAN/Oba Akamo Table Tennis Tourney

Hakeem Adegbenro in the middle poses with his trophy joined with the first runner up, Abiodun Jimoh (R) and the SWAN Secretary, Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji (left)

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji 

ABEOKUTA - The trio of Hakeem Adegbenro, Abiodun Jimoh and Hakeem Akintunde were the champions of the maiden edition of Ogun SWAN/Oba Akamo Table Tennis Tourney held on Tuesday at the NUJ press centre, Iwe-Irohin House, Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital. 

The two-day table tennis tournament with 16 players drawn from all chapels of Ogun State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) saw Hakeem Adegbenro of NewsVille online and a member of NUJ Federated Chapel emerging the overall Champion. 

Adegbenro defeated the tournament favourite, Abiodun Jimoh of Daily Dispatch newspaper in two straight set 11-8, 11-7.

In the third place game, Ogun SWAN Chairman who represented, Ogun State Television (OGTV) chapel, Hakeem Akintunde negotiated his way past Rafiu Alarape of Silverbird Television who represented the Consolidated Chapel. 

Akintunde's victory was also in two straight sets with a 14-12, 11-8 triumph in less than forty minutes. 

The tournament sponsor, the Olu of Itori, Oba Abdulfatai Akorede Akamo also displayed his skills by easing past another industrious son of Itoriland, Engr. Nathaniel Sodipo in the novelty game with 11-6.

 At the end of the two day event where sports writers displayed their practical competence on the table, Oba Akamo who will be 60 on Thursday appreciated Ogun SWAN for honouring him with the event adding that the partnership between himself and Ogun SWAN has just started.

He said "I give glory to Almighty God for bringing me this far, if not for God it wouldn't have been possible. I appreciate the Ogun State Chapter of Sport Writers Association Of Nigeria, thanks for honouring me, on behalf of myself, my family and the whole Itori Land, our relationship will get bigger and better by the Grace of God".

Chairman Ogun SWAN Alhaji Hakeem Akintunde appreciated the Monarch for his support and consent despite the short notice.

"We are delighted that this has happened, despite the short notice and other commitments, we are grateful for the support to thrive from the beginning to the end".

Sixteen players registered for the event, the eventual Champion got a giant trophy and a cash prize while the first runner up and second runner up were also rewarded with cash prizes for their efforts.