OGUNDELE STUNS OLATUNDE, AS ADENIYI RECLAIMS ASOJU OBA CUP TITLE

RASHEEDAT Ogundele had to come from the brink of defeat to beat tourney favourite, Ganiat Olatunde, in the final of the women's singles event of the 42nd annual Asoju Oba Cup.

In the men's singles event, Kazeem Adeniyi also reclaimed the title after beating Ganiyu Ashimiyu in the final. Just like her sister, Ganiat, who now plies her trade in Italy, Rasheedat was crowned the number one female table tennis player in Lagos State after a dramatic comeback against Olatunde in the final of this year's championship.

From the beginning of the match, there was no signal that Ogundele could withstand Olatunde after she lost the first game to give Olatunde a 3-0 lead. But the tidings turned in her favour as she leveled up the match and went further to win at 4-3 to Olatunde's chagrin.

Having faced the biggest test in the semifinal match against 15-year-old Jide Omotayo, Kazeem, who was 2006 champion rode smoothly over Ashimiyu to achieve his pre-tourney boast of reclaiming the title that has eluded him for over three years.

A joyful Kazeem told The Guardian yesterday that he was happy achieving his dream of winning this year's title despite facing stiff opposition from teenage sensation, Omotayo, in the semi-final. However, he revealed that Omotayo nearly truncated his dream.

'I want to really express my gratitude to Babatunde Fashanu for his support in the last few years. I really dedicate this victory to him,' Adeniyi said. 'Also, the win has vindicated me before my critics, especially a coach with Union Bank Sports Club, who prevented me from taking part in the club's trials for selection of players.

'At least I have proved to him that I am a good player, having beaten two of their players on my way to winning the title this year. I hope to up my career with this and hope for the best in 2011.'