By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
A 12-year-old student, David Uche Agu, of Command Day Secondary School (CDSS), Nigerian Army’s 82 Division, Enugu, has emerged overall champion of the maiden edition of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Enugu state chapter’s Inter-Secondary School Table Tennis Competition held in Enugu, South-East Nigeria.
Agu, an Abia-State born citizen, clinched the title after a convincing 3-0 victory over Udenwagu Chidubem of Sacred Heart College, Enugu, with set scores of 11-6, 13-11, and 11-6.
The three-day event featured seven secondary schools across Enugu, and took place at the Enugu State Sports Council headquarters.
The Table Tennis Association partnered SWAN to organize the event.
Speaking during the event, sponsor of the competition, Evangelist Jonhgold Chiekezie, expressed appreciation to SWAN and the Table Tennis Association for organizing the championship.
He pledged continued support for future editions and called on the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, to support similar initiatives.
“I believe events like this will help redirect the energy of our youths into productive and competitive activities. Supporting sports development is my passion,” Evang. Chiekezie stated.
Also speaking, Acting Chairman of the state Table Tennis Association, Chief Sunday Agali, emphasized the need for the government, sports administrators and enthusiasts to pay more attention to non-football sports like table tennis.
Agali said: “Table tennis is a psychologically engaging sport. This competition serves as a great platform to review and revive the sport in our state.”
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Mr. Chibuzor Nwoye, lauded the sponsor for identifying with SWAN in taking table tennis to secondary schools.
He described the initiative as a vital step toward encouraging the growth of non-football sports in the region.
In his victory remarks, young Agu expressed joy at emerging champion.
He enthused: “I feel great winning this competition. I’ve been training hard for it, and I’m grateful to my parents for supporting me.”
Agu, who described table tennis as his favourite sport, also revealed his dream to one day play the game professionally.
Meanwhile, in the third-place game played earlier, Union High Boys, Awkwunanaw, lost to College of Immaculate Conception, Uwani 5-11, 4-11, 6-11.
