Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commended the Daniel Ford Elite Table Tennis Tournament for its significant contribution to nurturing young sporting talents across Nigeria.
Eko Hot News reports that the Governor gave the commendation at the opening of the table tennis tournament sponsored by Daniel Ford International, a UK-based property firm, held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
Sanwo-Olu described grassroots sports initiatives as the foundation of sustainable sporting excellence, noting that such programmes have played a vital role in positioning Lagos as a leading force in national and international sports competitions.
The Governor highlighted Lagos State’s historic victory at the 9th National Youth Games earlier this year, attributing the success to deliberate policy direction, consistent funding, and strong partnerships focused on early talent discovery and structured athlete development.
“Lagos won the National Youth Games for the first time this year, which clearly reflects the State’s investment in grassroots initiatives like the Daniel Ford Tournament,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The Governor noted that investments in facilities, training programmes, and competitions at the community level are yielding measurable results, especially among young athletes.
Now in its third year, the Daniel Ford Elite Table Tennis Tournament has grown into a major platform for identifying, grooming, and showcasing emerging table tennis talents in Nigeria.
The competition continues to attract young players from different parts of the country, reinforcing its reputation as a cornerstone for grassroots table tennis development.
Stakeholders at the event praised the partnership between the private sector and the Lagos State Government, describing it as a model for sustainable sports growth.
The tournament is expected to further strengthen Lagos State’s talent pipeline and inspire more youths to pursue careers in sports.
