Broadcast journalist Tony O
He has been imparting the society than mere talking on the radio and the energetic Tony Obot said staging an annual Table Tennis tournament tagged Kandaval Cup, was his own way of giving back to the society.
The tournament debuted in 2012 and almost a decade down the line, Obot reflected on his contributions to grassroots sports development and plans towards rebranding the novel Kandaval Cup.
He explained the inspiration behind his decision to veer into the sponsorship of the annual Table Tennis Tournament for public secondary schools in Lagos state and the efforts he made to ensure the tourney got the approval of the state government.
“As a sports journalist, I felt that rather than just reporting or criticising the declining fortunes in our sports and the decadence in the development of our youths, I should start putting my money where my mouth is,” Obot told NationSport.” I set out to develop deprived youth through sports and the hunting ground for such endeavour, for me, are the public schools.
“So, we started with organising and sponsoring an annual table tennis championship for public secondary schools in Lagos state.
“I settle for hosting the championships in schools rather than the stadia to ensure that not only a few players but the whole population of students in the host school enjoy the attendant benefits.
“ Getting approval from the state government for this was a huge challenge as they suspected it would disrupt academic activities, but we eventually got the nod and the students have been the better for it.
“Complete sets of table tennis boards are donated to participating schools the schools, players are all kitted by us, the children fed with light meals and drinks, we give prizes, donate complete sets of table tennis tables boards/tables and accessories to schools that get to the semi-final stage of the contest.”
Obot further gave an insight into how it all started and some of the benefits and gains that have come from his desire to help contribute to the development of table tennis at the grassroots.
“The first edition of the Lagos State Inter-School Table Tennis Championship tagged Kandaval Cup served off at Isheri Grammar School in February 2012,” he explained.
“More than three hundred youths were in attendance to watch Ogunma Williams of Isheri Senior Secondary School defeat Fasiu Muse of the Junior Secondary School and lifted the trophy in the boys’ category while Sanni Amudalat, a JSS 2 student of Isheri Junior Grammar School . the top prize in the girls’ category.
“For nine years now and counting, we have been running the Lagos state Inter-school Table Tennis championship, Kandaval Cup aside last year due to COVID-19.
“Sports at the grassroots level is never that attractive and, more often than not, neglected by sponsors and one may not blame them for that for obvious reasons. That we can identify with the kids and give them the platform to showcase their talents is one of the major benefits we sought, that is an achievement to me.
“Aside from this, some of our players have gone to represent the state in some competitions including Asoju-Oba Table Tennis Championship. The current Lagos State junior champion, Muiz Adegoke honed his skills in our competitions, he participated in past editions and ended up winning the 2017 edition of the Kandaval Cup. He represented Birch Freeman High School. Gbadamosi Dare, our 2014 champion has been a regular participant in many state and national junior tourneys.
“This gives me so much joy. Some others who didn’t continue with playing the game are in the universities now. Asides from this, the carnival atmosphere, the fun, the happiness, the smiles on the faces of these kids during competitions is much of a treasure to me.”
Obot also gave insights on efforts towards rebranding of the Kandaval Cup as well as the introduction of a grassroots golf tournament for caddies.
“We are back to the drawing board to tweak the plans a bit before serving off again,” he said.“The NTTF are fully with us on this.
“ I will also like to mention that as we fine-tune plans for the national tournament, we occupied ourselves with the organization and sponsorship of a golf championship for younger players.
“ Titled Kandaval Cadet Golf Cup, boys, and girls, most of them caddies aged 19 years and below now have a competition. The first edition was held in July at the SBA Golf Club within the Nigerian Airforce base in Lagos and a 15-year-old SS2 Secondary school student, Tega Onojaife, dismissed stiff challenge from 38 other participants to claim the maiden diadem.”
Meanwhile, Obot has some kind words for the former Nigeria Table Tennis Federation boss Wahid Oshodi as well as former National team Table Tennis coach Babatunde Obisanya for their technical and moral support at the outset of the Kandaval Cup.
He said: “The NTTF during the regime of Wahid Oshodi was helpful and they were even willing to give us the Table Tennis Hall of the National Stadium for the national event; and they seconded umpires to us during the last edition.
“Also, the former National Team coach, Babatunde Obisanya was usually on hand with technical support and was always physically present at each year’s finals, and this was a boost to the players.”