Former African and Commonwealth table tennis Champion – Atanda
Musa has admitted that taking part in the annual Asoju Oba Cup added
colours to his life.
The
New York-based Musa whose rivalry with the late Yomi Bankole became the
climax of the tournament was full of appreciation to the late financier
of the championship – Sir Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, describing him as a
philanthropist with special passion for table tennis.
“My
life will not complete without mentioning the vital role the Asoju Oba
Cup played in my life and career. My 90 percent success in life was
based on the support I got from Chief Okoya-Thomas when I was a level
two coach with the Lagos State Sports Council while he was the chairman
of the Council.
Competing in the tournament from early 1980s really
brought me into limelight in Nigeria and earned me a place in the
national team. As the tournament usually takes place in December, it
affords us the opportunity to win several gift items while my first car
in life was through the tournament which I won after defeating Yomi
Bankole in one of the finals,” Atanda Musa said.
Even as the family of the late business mogul in collaboration with Lagos State Sports Commission are planning elaborate 50th anniversary
of the competition this month, Atanda Musa said that he would forever
remain grateful to Chief Okoya-Thomas having contributed immensely to
his success on and off the table.
“I cannot quantify the contribution of
Chief Okoya-Thomas to my life because it was through the competition
that I gained more experience playing against the seniors while I became
the first table tennis player to win a brand new Peugeot Saloon car by
competing in the competition.
I must also commend the family for keeping
and upholding the legacy of Chief Okoya-Thomas by staging the
tournament despite the demise of the initiator,” he added.
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