The 2016 edition of the Ships & Ports Table Tennis Tournament held in Lagos with fanfare as 32 players vied for honours at the four-year old competition, which was created to promote camaraderie, friendship and social interaction among maritime industry operators.
Ships & Ports CEO, Bolaji Akinola, who said he was impressed with the level of turnout for the competition, assured that the leading maritime communication firm would continue to promote healthy living for sustainable development of the maritime industry.
He said, “Table tennis is a sport that can be enjoyed by individuals of any age and physical ability. Top table tennis players are some of the greatest athletes in the world.
“Playing table tennis is a great way to stimulate the brain and promote quick thinking while improving hand-eye coordination.
“Table tennis is a low-injury risk sport that keeps one fit and flexible, without putting too much stress on joints. Playing table tennis increases one’s agility and flexibility, and most of all, reaction time.”
Akinola said his company was keen on promoting table tennis in the maritime industry because of its numerous health benefits including the stimulation of mental alertness, concentration and tactical strategy.
“This makes it the perfect game for young people to sharpen reflexes, and for older people to refine tactics,” he said.
At the end of the one-day tournament which was held at the Apapa Club, Lagos; three-time champion, Kehinde Borokini, came tops retaining the Prince Olayiwola Shittu Trophy for the fourth year in a row.
Borokini defeated fellow Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) staff, Agor Brendan by three straight sets 11-7; 11-7 and 11-8.
A highly elated Borokini said she was happy to feature and win the competition again this year.
“I am very happy to be here again today. It is always a delight to participate in this competition every year and I thank the organisers for always doing a great job,” she said.
The tournament’s number one seeded player won all her matches defeating Yusuf Saheed 3-1 in the quarterfinal and Philip Asuquo 3-2 in a keenly contested semi-final match.
Agor Brendan emerged the first runner-up, while Asuquo was second runner-up.
The trophy was presented to Borokini by the Chairman, Association Electoral Commission (ASECO) of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Mukaila Babatunde who represented the ANLCA President and sponsor of the competition, Prince Olayiwola Shittu; and Head, Corporate Communications of Sifax Group, Muyiwa Akande who represented the Executive Director, Human Resources and Administration of the Group, Dr. Phil Ofulue.
Staff of various private companies and government organisations including Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, PIL Shipping Company, ENL Consortium, Hull Blyth, LTT Coastal and Marine Services, Mickey Excellency Clearing and Forwarding Company, Port & Cargo Handling Services, Crown Maritime Academy, SIfax Group, Maersk Line and Maritime Microfiance Bank and Five Star Logistics registered for the competition.
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