The Lagos State Table Tennis Association has called on the Nigerian government to pay more attention to Table Tennis development.

The call comes as Nigeria has witnessed decline in its performance in Table Tennis championships around the world.

The Technical Director of the association, Mr John Peters, told Channels Television that the Asoju Oba Table Tennis championship in Lagos was an avenue to develop young players to represent Nigeria in various championships.

He said that lack of proper planning led to the decline that Nigeria had witnessed in Table Tennis championships and called on the government to key into the Asoju Oba initiative and improve the games.

“We have been champions in Africa and to return to that level the gradual improvement that is being witnessed should be sustained,” Mr. Peters said.

“The Challenge is on how to develop our junior category and the Lagos State government through its Commissioner for Sports and the President of the Nigerian Table Tennis Federation , Enitan Oshodi is assisting in doing that. The tournament provides opportunity for growth as it is of three categories – the cadet, junior, and senior categories.

“These categories have brought improvement,” he stated.

As part of efforts to take Table Tennis to a greater height, the Lagos State government has exposed many of the players to international tournaments.

About 10 players will be competing in the World Junior Championship in Morocco.

The Asoju Oba Championship is sponsored by Mr. Molade Okoya-Thomas. He said that his intention was to make Table Tennis the most popular sports in Nigeria.

Then Championship is only for Table Tennis Players in Lagos State.