Five-Year-Old Omotoso Dazzles at 7th Efunkoya U-15 Tournament

Posted : 14 August 2026

Five-year-old Ayomide Omotoso has emerged as one of the talking points at the ongoing 7th Adegboyega Efunkoya U-15 National Table Tennis Tournament in Lagos. The youngster is competing against considerably older players at the Indoor Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere.

Omotoso arrived at the competition eager to experience his first national tournament. Despite his young age and smaller frame, he showed confidence when called to Table Seven for his opening match.

The five-year-old found the pace and power of his opponents difficult to handle. He lost his matches, but continued to approach each rally with enthusiasm and treated the experience as an opportunity to learn.

Omotoso said he was delighted to participate in the tournament because of his love for the sport. He also revealed that his father introduced him to table tennis and expressed his determination to continue training.

The youngster is the son of Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso. His presence at the tournament attracted attention from spectators, coaches and officials who admired his confidence and enthusiasm.

The Efunkoya tournament has long been positioned as a grassroots platform for identifying and developing young Nigerian table tennis players. The 2025 sixth edition, for example, attracted players from 12 states and 28 clubs, with organisers stressing the importance of nurturing young talent.

The competition is organised by the Efunkoya Sports Foundation in partnership with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation. The tournament honours the legacy of the late Dr Adegboyega Efunkoya, regarded as an important pioneer in the development of table tennis in Nigeria.

More than 130 players, comprising 82 boys and 54 girls, are participating in the three-day competition. The event provides young players from different parts of Nigeria with an opportunity to gain competitive experience and test themselves against players from other clubs and states.

Omotoso's participation also highlights the importance of early exposure in sports development. The 2025 edition featured very young competitors, including players born in 2017 and 2018, showing that age-grade tournaments can provide an early pathway for children with a strong interest in the sport.

While Omotoso did not record a victory, his willingness to compete against older players has made him a memorable figure at this year's tournament. His confidence, enthusiasm and desire to keep improving underline the value of creating opportunities for young athletes to learn through competition.

Five-Year-Old Omotoso Dazzles at 7th Efunkoya U-15 Tournament

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