Africa’s men’s doubles champion, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, and top-ranked female player, Hope Udoaka, have emerged as the top seeds in the singles event of the 5th Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial National Table Tennis Championships.

The tournament currently underway in the historic town of Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State, was declared open yesterday by the Osun State Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, who participated in an exhibition match against former African champion, Saka Suraju.

Adewusi, a former table tennis player praised the tournament’s sponsor, the Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Foundation for the unwavering commitment to the sport.

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He urged the players to maximize the opportunities provided during the tournament to display their talents, urging them to imbibe discipline.

“Talent must be complemented by discipline and hard work, as there are no shortcuts to success. I also challenge our female players to step up their game and see this platform as a chance to break into the national team,” said Adewusi.

Abdulfatai, who narrowly missed the national title to Matthew Kuti last year, is determined to reclaim his national team spot.

Udoaka, representing Cross River, will be aiming to unseat defending champion Sukurat Aiyelabegan of Kwara in the women’s singles.

Other top contenders in the Men’s Singles include defending champion Jamiu Ayanwale, Edo’s Amadi Omeh, Akinwale Fagbamila from Ondo, and Azeez Waisu of Oyo.

In the Women’s Singles, Udoaka is joined by Aiyelabegan, Lagos-based Bose Odusanya, Aminat Fashola, and Bisola Asaju of Kwara on the list of seeded players.

Sanctioned by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and organised by the Osun State Table Tennis Association, the five-day tournament is offering over N11.5 million in prize money.