It was explosive at
the Multi-Purpose Hall of the well-kept Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba on
Sunday, April 7 as the COSON All Stars Table Tennis Blow Out went
through the round of 32.
In the battle for the glittering COSON trophy
and the million naira cash prize, friendships and camaraderie were
thrown overboard and all-out wars declared.
As the tension soaked
matches unfolded, a number of stars on whom many were banking to win
the coveted prize, were blown away. Rap icon, Ruggedman, was sent
parking in two straight sets (11-4,11-9) by sports journalist, Yinka
Adebayo.
Top
comedian, AY who many had tipped to be the last man standing because of
his scary spins and fiery smashes was dazed in a hard fought three game
sensation with Osy, manager of hip artiste, Solid Star. Osy edged out AY
(6-11, 11-9, 11-9).
Fuji Star, SK Sensation, whom everybody was afraid
to play because of the way he dumped his opponents in the first two
rounds, fought tooth and nail in a three game thriller but came short as
he got dumped by Lanre Falana, President of the DJs Association of
Nigeria (DJAN). The match ended in favour of Falana (4-11, 11-8,11-9).
Actor,
broadcaster and comedian, Yemi Sodimu did not put up much of a fight
after his initial gragra. He was sent home in two
straight games (11-3, 11-8) by Skillato.
However, a number of
top stars survived. Top singer, Timi Dakolo returned every smash
unleashed by Willie Workman whom he outclassed (11-4, 11-5).
Gideon
Okeke, the much sought after Tinsel star and presenter of the African
Magic TV game show, Money Drop Nigeria, came ever closer to going home
with the million naira cheque as he stood firm and beat Seyi Allen,
manager and husband of singer, Azeezat Allen (11-6, 15-13).
One of the
toughest matches of the day was the one between Plantashun boy, Black
Face and Sexy Steel. Until the last minute, no one could predict who
would come on top because every hot smash was returned by a hotter
smash. At the end, Black Face prevailed, beating Sexy Steel (12-10,
13-11)
Other winners of the
day were COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, who kept friendship aside
and took out his buddy, the CEO of Nowmuzik, Efe Omorogbe who manages
top stars like 2Face Idibia, Sunny Neji, J. Martins, etc.
The former
president of PMAN won (11-2, 11-3). Okoroji’s son, TJ Okoroji, himself a
budding singer, took out COSON Head of Membership, Isa Haruna who the
previous week had humbled his boss, the COSON General Manager, Chinedu
Chukwuji.
TJ Okoroji won in three games (6 -11, 11-5, 11 –7). Comedian,
AY and Fuji Star, SK Sensation however survive into the next round by
virtue of the best losers rule.
On Thursday, May 23,
the stars will be back in full force at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere
as the multi- purpose hall hosts the finals of the COSON All Stars
Table Tennis Blow Out and the last man standing is determined,
celebrated and crowned.
The Finals of the COSON All Stars Table Tennis
Blow Out will be one of the seven mega events of the much talked about
COSON Week holding from May 19 to 25.
Among the top movie
industry stars who stormed the Teslim Balogun Stadium for the flag off
of the Blow-Out on March 10 were Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN)
President, Ms Ibinabo Fiberesima and the immediate past president, Mr.
Segun Arinze. President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Mr
Zik Okafor was there as well as past President, Mr Madu C. Chikwendu.
The long list of celebrities from the movie industry included star
actress, Shaun George; star actors, Kalu Ikeagwu, John Njama, Fidelis
Dukar, Obi Osotule, Moses Enwang, etc. The celebrated actor and
broadcaster, Mr Patrick Doyle was in full flow.
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