11th Edition Of National Table Tennis Cup Returns  As Talent Hunt Intensifies

11th Edition Of National Table Tennis Cup Returns  As Talent Hunt Intensifies

By Admin 

Nigeria’s top table tennis talents, headlined by rising star Matthew Kuti, are set to compete at the 11th Elicris Table Tennis Cup scheduled for December 22–23 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The two-day national championship, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) under the leadership of its president, Adesoji Tayo, is powered by the Babatunde Abayomi Adejobi (BAA) Foundation. As the final major event on the 2025 calendar, the tournament is expected to deliver high-level competition while reinforcing the foundation’s longstanding investment in youth sports development.

Founder of the BAA Foundation, Babatunde Adejobi, said the tournament has played a crucial role in talent discovery and national team development for more than a decade.

“We are committed to supporting youth development, and this competition has consistently helped nurture friendships and reveal new talents for the NTTF,” Adejobi said. “Some of the young players who emerged from past editions are now national team members. Their passion and determination inspire us to keep pushing.”

Adejobi added that the foundation will continue providing opportunities for athletes to gain international experience.

“We will keep helping them pursue their dream of competing on the world stage. We’re pleased with the quality of play this tournament attracts and remain grateful for the support of NTTF and the Lagos State Sports Commission through the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA).”

NTTF President Tayo applauded the BAA Foundation for its unwavering sponsorship, describing it as a key driver of the federation’s developmental agenda.

“We appreciate the foundation’s commitment. It makes our work easier,” he said. “With consistent sponsorship, we can identify young talents and nurture them alongside established players.”

Tayo emphasized that youth development remains central to the federation’s strategy, pointing to global examples such as France’s teenage sensations, the Lebrun brothers, who have defeated top-ranked Chinese players. He noted that the Elicris Cup remains a vital closing event on the federation’s annual programme.

Chairman of LSTTA, Tunji Lawal, also commended the BAA Foundation, highlighting the evolution of the competition from a Lagos-based event to a national tournament.

“We’re pleased that the tournament went national last year and continues to grow,” he said. “We expect even more emerging talents this year, and we appreciate Mr. Adejobi’s vision and commitment to expanding the sport.”

Over time, the Elicris Table Tennis Cup has evolved into a significant talent pipeline, a hub for youth engagement, and an important contributor to Nigeria’s growing influence in global table tennis. As the 11th edition serves up another exciting chapter in Lagos, it continues to inspire the next generation of Nigerian champions.