LSTTA Begins Trials For Lagos Team Ahead Of Eko 2026

The Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA) has commenced trials to select athletes who will represent the state at the maiden National Intermediate Games, Eko 2026.

The one-day selection exercise is scheduled for Saturday, 29 August, at Ikoyi Club 1938, with the association determined to assemble a formidable squad for the multi-sport event.

LSTTA chairman, Tunji Lawal, said the trials were crucial to maintaining Lagos’ reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading table tennis centres while ensuring that only the best athletes make the final squad.

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

He added that the selection process would remain open until the final team is confirmed, with training taking place alongside the trials.

“No player should feel indispensable. Only the best will earn the right to represent Lagos. Lagos is known for excellence, and we cannot go below this standard in our approach to the first National Intermediate Games,” he added.

Fourteen athletes, comprising seven boys and seven girls, have been listed for the exercise.

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

The boys’ contingent includes African U-19 champion Matthew Kuti, as well as Quadri Atunwon, Tobi Adebakin, Usman Ayoola, Ahmed Ayatulahi, Adeoye Hussein and Adesanya Sodiq.

Eko 2026 is scheduled for 1–15 October and is expected to attract more than 15,000 athletes aged between 15 and 18 from across Nigeria.

The Games are designed to provide a competitive pathway for emerging athletes, bridging the gap between grassroots and elite sport while exposing young talents to the demands of national competition.

LSTTA’s preparations have also been boosted by the performances of its young players at the association’s monthly cadet tournament at Lagos Country Club, where Umar Ayoola and Aminat Lawal emerged champions in the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively.

Their victories further underlined the depth of Lagos’ youth table tennis programme ahead of the state’s participation in Eko 2026.