PHOTO CREDIT: Punch Newspapers / LSTTA
LSTTA Kicks Off Trials for Eko 2026 National Intermediate Games

The Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA) has begun trials to select its contingent for the maiden National Intermediate Games, tagged Eko 2026.

The one-day trial is scheduled to hold at Ikoyi Club 1938 on Saturday, August 29, as part of early preparations for the multi-sport fiesta.

Speaking on the exercise, LSTTA Chairman, Tunji Lawal, said the trials are crucial to sustaining Lagos’ dominance in table tennis and ensuring merit in selection.

“We want to ensure that we assemble a strong team that can battle against any team in the country,” Lawal said.

Lawal stressed that no athlete will be considered indispensable, adding that the process will be continuous until the final squad is decided, with training running alongside the trials.
“Only the best will earn the right to represent Lagos. Lagos is known for excellence, and we cannot go below this standard.”
A total of 14 athletes – seven boys and seven girls – have been invited for the trials.

The girls listed are Aishat Rabiu, Ifeoluwa Ajasa, Faisat Musbau, Rianat Olanrewaju, Taiwo Akanbi, Halimat Rasheed, and Hayisat Zakariah.

For the boys, African U-19 champion Matthew Kuti will lead the pack alongside Quadri Atunwon, Tobi Adebakin, Usman Ayoola, Ahmed Ayatulahi, Adeoye Hussein, and Adesanya Sodiq.

The Eko 2026 National Intermediate Games is billed to run from October 1 to 15 and is expected to bring together over 15,000 talented athletes aged 15 to 18 from across the country. Conceived as a bridge between youth and elite competitions, the Games will provide a pathway for emerging talents to compete at national standard.

The LSTTA noted that the depth of talent in the state was recently on display at its monthly cadet tournament at Lagos Country Club, where Umar Ayoola and Aminat Lawal emerged champions in the boys’ and girls’ categories.

SOURCE: Punch Newspapers – “Eko 2026: Lagos Table Tennis Trials Begin for National Games”
Original Link: https://punchng.com/lstta-begins-trials-for-eko-2026/

PHOTO CREDIT: Punch Newspapers