Mary Onyali and Table Tennis Stars Light Up Osun Sports Scene
Osun State has become the hub of Nigerian sports this week as the 2026 National Table Tennis Tournament reached its climax today. Former sprint queen Mary Onyali was in attendance to advocate for increased investment in grassroots sports development, emphasizing that Nigeria’s future Olympic success depends on talent discovery at the state level.
In the finals, standout players Akanbi and Asaju secured the national titles, demonstrating a high level of skill that spectators say rivals international standards. The tournament, which drew participants from all 36 states, is part of a broader "Sports for All" initiative aimed at engaging youth and reducing social vices through athletic competition.
Mary Onyali, speaking to the press, noted that the infrastructure in Osun serves as a model for other states. She called on the Federal Government to decentralize sports funding, ensuring that state-level associations have the resources to maintain equipment and host regular competitions. The tournament concluded with a call for more corporate sponsorships to bridge the funding gap in non-football sports.
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