The Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA) has officially commenced trials to select athletes for the maiden National Intermediate Games, Eko 2026.

The one-day session is scheduled to take place at Ikoyi Club 1938 on Saturday, August 29, setting the tone for what promises to be a spirited campaign.

Speaking on the initiative, LSTTA Chairman, Tunji Lawal, underscored the importance of the exercise in sustaining Lagos’ dominance in table tennis while ensuring that only the most deserving athletes earn their place.

“We want to ensure that we assemble a strong team that can battle against any team in the country,” Lawal stated.

He emphasised that the trials will be continuous until the final squad is confirmed, with training running concurrently.

“No player should feel indispensable. Only the best will earn the right to represent Lagos. Lagos is known for excellence, and we cannot go below this standard in our approach to the first National Intermediate Games,” he added.

A total of 14 athletes — seven boys and seven girls — will participate in the trials. The girls’ lineup includes Aishat Rabiu, Ifeoluwa Ajasa, Faisat Musbau, Rianat Olanrewaju, Taiwo Akanbi, Halimat Rasheed, and Hayisat Zakariah.

The boys’ roster features African U-19 champion Matthew Kuti, alongside Quadri Atunwon, Tobi Adebakin, Usman Ayoola, Ahmed Ayatulahi, Adeoye Hussein, and Adesanya Sodiq.

Each athlete represents not only individual ambition but also the collective dream of Lagos to maintain its leadership in Nigerian table tennis.

Scheduled to run from October 1 to 15, Eko 2026 will bring together over 15,000 of Nigeria’s most talented athletes aged 15 to 18.

As the nation’s premier intermediate multi-sport competition, the Games is designed to bridge the gap between amateur and elite national contests. They provide a pathway for emerging talent to compete at the highest national standard while preparing for success on continental and global stages.

The LSTTA remains committed to ensuring that Lagos not only participates but excels, setting the benchmark for excellence at Eko 2026.

Meanwhile, the monthly cadet tournament organized by LSTTA at Lagos Country Club reaffirmed the depth of talent within the state with Umar Ayoola and Aminat Lawal emerging as champions in the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively, further highlighting the strength of Lagos’ pipeline of young players.