Muiz Adegoke and Ojomu Ajoke emerge victorious as Bayelsa pledges annual event.
The inaugural edition of the Governor Douye Diri Top‑16 National Table Tennis Championship concluded on December 1, 2025, in heroic fashion with thrilling finals, new champions crowned, and promises of more to come. The event, held in the state-of-the-art “Coastal Fortress” table-tennis complex in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, delivered national-level competition and excitement.
Champions emerge: Adegoke and Ajoke on top
In the men’s singles final, Adegoke Muiz (Lagos) demonstrated dominance over pre-tournament favourite Matthew Kuti (also Lagos), clinching the title with a straight-sets 4–0 win (11–8, 11–5, 11–6, 11–5).
In the women’s singles, Ojomu Ajoke (Jenz Ice Cream Club, Abuja) battled past Bayelsa’s Hope Udoaka in a hard-fought 4–2 win. The match went the distance, with Ajoke prevailing 12–10, 3–11, 8–11, 11–5, 11–9, 11–3.
Meanwhile, host-state contenders Samuel Boboye (Bayelsa) and Abdulfatai Abdulbasit secured joint-third positions in men’s singles; rounding out a podium that showcased talent across multiple states.
Bayelsa’s moment — “South-South hosts top 16 for first time”
The championship marks the first time the Top-16 national table tennis tournament was hosted in the South-South region; a point emphasised by the organizers and the state government.
Addressing participants at the closing ceremony, Senator Douye Diri (Governor of Bayelsa State) represented by the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali declared that the Gov. Diri Top-16 tournament will become an annual event in Bayelsa.
The tournament was held in the brand-new “Coastal Fortress” table tennis facility, a modern complex featuring a lounge, seating area, and a five-table hall — highlighting the state’s investment in sports infrastructure.
With this new championship, organisers hope to deepen the competitive fabric of table tennis in Nigeria by providing regular, high-level opportunities for top-ranked players. In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association, Ama‑ebi Ebikpolade Stow, called for the creation of a formal national table-tennis league to keep players active year-round.
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Dr. Adesoji Tayo, commended Bayelsa’s emergence as a new table-tennis powerhouse, saying the state has “closed the gap” on historically dominant states such as Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo. Thanks to infrastructure and growing support.
As the curtain falls on the maiden Gov. Diri Top-16 Championship, the excitement lingers. Not only for the champions crowned, but for what this tournament could mean for the future of Nigerian table tennis.
Stay with Hot Sports Scoops for exclusive Nigerian-focused sports coverage — home and abroad.