LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) visited Babcock University on Monday, August 17 to present medals and trophies won by athletes who camped at the institution for three weeks ahead of international championships in Ghana and Gambia.
Led by the NTTF Secretary General, Mr. Akanmu Olusoji, the delegation included national coach, Mr. Idowu Ayodele and four players: Rabiu Opeyemi, Fabunmi Mathew, Mathew Kuti and Atunwon Quadri.
The NTTF revealed that the purpose of the visit was to appreciate Babcock for hosting the team.
Receiving them in his boardroom with other principal officers, President/Vice Chancellor, Professor Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, said while Babcock is not primarily a sports institution, it nurtures talents and believes in training “the mind, the hands, and the heart.”
“For the first time in a long time, we provided a home for a few weeks for teenagers being prepared for championship. And they won. They won many medals. Such a performance is traceable to what God did in Babcock University. We just don’t talk about raising champions. We raise champions in this place,” Ojewole said.
The Vice Chancellor urged the players to combine sports with academics through Babcock University Distance E-Learning.
“Whether you’re in Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Europe or Canada, you can go to school at your pace. It’s not too expensive, it’s very possible,” he said, citing African champion Funke Oshonaike who earned a BSc in Nursing Science later in life, and NBA star Shaquille O’Neal who pursued degrees and a PhD after his sporting career.
Earlier, Mr. Olusoji, who stood in for the NTTF President, Dr. Adesoji Tayo, thanked the Vice Chancellor whom he described as “an academia, a parent and a man of God.”
He echoed the call for education, noting that “sport has an expired age” and certificates will sustain athletes after retirement.
Coach Ayodele described the camping as “the greatest performance by all time” and credited Babcock’s environment, food and discipline. “This institution is part of the success story,” he said.
At the African Championship in Ghana, Nigeria won 13 medals — 2 gold, 3 silver and 8 bronze. At the African Cup two days later, the team won 4 medals — 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze.
Matthew Kuti dethroned the African Under-19 Champion from Tunisia at the Africa Youth Cup event.
“I feel good and very happy that I won,” Kuti said.
The Africa Youth Cup champion spoke on the school’s positive atmosphere and promised to retain the title which he won by defeating compatriot Sultan Agunbiade.
“Babcock is a very good environment. There is discipline, there is everything. I will try my best next year to defend it.”
The highlight of the day was the formal presentation of medals and trophies to Professor Ojewole.
