It was a bitter ending for the men’s singles defending champions – Rilwan Akanbi as he will have no part in the grand finale just as Curtain will on Friday December 1, be drawn on the 49th Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas.
Already winners have merged in the doubles, mixed doubles and singles events of cadet and junior categories while the biggest prize of the competition is expected to be presented to the new champions and men and women singles events.
Apart from the exit of the defending champion and number one – Rilwan Akanbi, the number three seed – Ahmed Adeyinka was also shown the exit in the quarterfinal round by southpaw David Fayele.
Akanbi, who has not hidden his intention to keep the title this year was made to chew his words when southpaw Monsuru Kazeem silenced him in the quarterfinal round of the men’s singles decided on Thursday November 30.
Like Akanbi, former champion – Adeyinka was made to eat the humble pie by Fayele also in the last eight encounters of the competition.
In the women’s singles, it was a battle between left-hand Alimot Ayinla and defending champion – Bose Odusanya who is also aiming to hold on to the title she won in 2016.
The road to the final for Ayinla and Odusanya was not without any hassle but both players showed their class when it mattered to berth in the final scheduled for Friday December 1.
For the semifinal ties of the men’s singles, 2016 runners’ up, Azeez Solanke will battle Azeez Jamiu while giant-killing Fayele and Kazeem will slug it out in the second semifinal match.
The colourful closing ceremony will attract who-is-who in sports as dignitaries are expected to grace the grand finale holding at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.