Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has hailed the Daniel Ford Elite Table Tennis Tournament for its critical role in discovering and nurturing young sporting talents across Nigeria.
The governor gave the commendation at the opening of the tournament, held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium.
He noted that grassroots competitions serve as the foundation for the sporting excellence that has placed Lagos State at the forefront of national and international athletics.
Sanwo-Olu linked the state’s recent sporting milestones to structured community-level development.
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He specifically referenced Lagos State’s historic victory at the 9th National Youth Games earlier this year as a direct result of deliberate funding and strategic partnerships.
“Lagos won the National Youth Games for the first time this year, which is clear proof of Lagos State’s investment and support for grassroots initiatives like Daniel Ford,” the governor stated.
“I trust that Lagos will top again at the next Youth Games because of the pragmatic and excellent leadership at the Lagos State Sports Commission.”
The governor also used the occasion to applaud the leadership of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC).
He expressed his appreciation to the Director-General, Lekan Fatodu, and his entire team for their dedication to implementing policies that prioritise athlete discovery and development.
Now in its third year, the tournament—sponsored by Daniel Ford International, a UK-based property firm—has evolved into a premier platform for identifying Nigeria’s next generation of table tennis stars.
Key highlights of this year’s edition included the introduction of a new Under-12 category to broaden the talent pipeline for younger athletes.
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The competition also continued in the established Under-15 and Under-19 divisions.
Overall, the event served as a vital pathway for excellence, functioning as an important talent identification hub within the national sporting ecosystem.
The event underscores the growing synergy between the private sector and the state government in using sports as a tool for youth engagement and professional development.
