In a major boost to table tennis development in Oyo State, Chairman of the Oyo State Table Tennis Association, Adesoji Tayo, has officially handed over a multi-million-naira table tennis hall to the state government.

 The facility was commissioned on Monday, September 21, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, with Tayo expressing satisfaction at the completion of the project.

 Tayo, who is also the President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), described the facility as a legacy project designed to nurture future generations of players.

 “It is not about infrastructure to me but about the legacy one is leaving behind,” he said.

 According to him, the hall will provide players with an environment to train, develop their skills, showcase their talent and compete for honours. He disclosed that the facility is equipped with four world-class tables and specially designed flooring expected to remain in excellent condition for at least 10 years.

 Tayo expressed optimism that the facility could help discover future stars capable of following in the footsteps of Nigerian table tennis icons such as Aruna Quadri and Waheed Ekun.

 Receiving the facility on behalf of the state government, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, expressed appreciation for the gesture and assured the donor that the facility would be properly maintained.

 She noted that Governor Seyi Makinde was aware of the donation and described Tayo’s contribution as significant to the development of sports in the state.

 “To say we are grateful is an understatement,” Adegoke said.

 She added that the facility would help improve the performance of Oyo athletes at both national and international competitions.

 The commissioner also called on other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate Tayo by contributing to sports development and supporting young athletes.

 The General Manager of the Oyo State Sports Council, Mrs. Olabisi Adegoke, equally commended the donor and urged athletes to use the facility strictly for its intended purpose.

 She stressed the need for coaches to ensure that players receive proper training and make effective use of the new facility.

 The commissioning of the hall marks a significant development for table tennis in Oyo State, providing athletes with a modern training environment and improved opportunities to develop their skills.

 For Tayo, however, the project represents more than a physical structure. It is a long-term investment in discovering talent, developing champions and creating a lasting legacy for table tennis in Oyo State.