Following two days of intensive coaching, young table tennis players from 12 states and 28 clubs will compete from Thursday at the 6th Efunkoya U-15 Tournament.

The event will be held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

 Top coaches and former stars have taught the fundamentals of the sport, preparing participants with key skills and exercises ahead of the championship.

 Hundreds of U-15 players are expected to feature in the three-day, five-event contest.

Winners will receive prizes and educational scholarships as recognition of their performance.

 Tournament referee, John Peters, stressed the organisers’ commitment to strict age checks, ensuring that only eligible players take part.

 He stayed, “This year’s tournament is unique in our resolve to allow only genuine U-15 players to compete. The screening process will be thorough. Additionally, only players currently enrolled in school will be eligible, as the aim is to discover and develop talented, educated children.”

Mr Peters urged coaches to respect the rules and avoid promoting age falsification, warning that it could hinder the long-term growth of young athletes.

 “A girl who should be in her age group might be pressured to lower her age for a younger category. This harms career progression,” he said.  

He recalled the legacy of the late Adegboyega Efunkoya, who firmly opposed age falsification.

“Many top players started early and competed for long because they were honest about their age. Age falsification damages careers,” Peters added.

 The athletes will compete in singles (boys and girls), doubles (boys and girls) and mixed doubles over the next three days.

Winners will be crowned on Saturday, with prizes and scholarships for outstanding performers.

(NAN)