By Tony Ubani

When Segun Toriola started his electrifying strokes in Table Tennis which made him one of Africa’s most decorated Ping-Pongers, Egyptian Omar Assar was not yet born.

But the Egyptian, 22, with lightening strokes humiliated Nigeria’s pride in the finals of the Lagos International Table Tennis Classics 11-9, 11-4, 13-15, 6-11, 11-4, 11-9. It was a true reflection of the fact that sports belongs to the youths. Assar dominated the final and was full of vim and vitality.

Gov. Fashola decorates Egyptian Omar Assar, who beat Segun Toriola in the final of the Lagos Classics.

He came to Lagos without a coach and beat Nigeria’s best. And even with a coach by his side, Toriola could not counter the fireworks of the Pharaoh. He sent the Molade Indoor Hall into raptures with his lightening display. You may ask what useful instruction did our coach pass on to his player?.

Without disparaging Toriola, our coaches still have a long way to go beyond reminding their wards that “Governor is watching you o, E ma gba fun e … No gree for am). When he made the winning point, Assar ran straight to salute Governor Fashola in the VIP for putting up the Classics before jumping onto the table to salute the vociferous crowd that cheered him lustfully throughout.

Representing Nigeria six times at the Olympics, is no mean joke (Olympics holds once in 4 years. That means that Toriola had been to the Olympics for 24 years). Incredible! He is not alone. So also with elegant Funke Oshonaike who lost in the semi finals to Offiong Edem. For these players to remain Nigeria’s best shows that the sport is not developing in Nigeria. The younger players have failed to retire the veterans and find joy in cheering visiting players who torment Nigerians.

The final was a splendid display of tennis. Lagos fans, denied of good table tennis for so long, came out in their thousands to watch the classics. Credit to Barrister Enitan Oshodi and Governor Babatunde Fashola who acknowledged that he would ensure that Table Tennis returns to its origin.

In the female category, Cecilia Otu-Akpan beat Offiong Edem 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9.