Heavy rain could not dampen the excitement as residents and supporters from Ilorin East and South defied the downpour to stay through the Olododo Table Tennis Championship 2026 grand finale, cheering the players and adding colour to an electrifying finish in Ilorin.
The Table Tennis Championship has ended with Jimoh Taiye Hassan of Gambari Ward II emerging champion.
The event was held at the Balogun Fulani Forecourt, Ilorin South Local Government Area on Wednesday, September 23, 2026..
The seven-day grassroots tournament, sponsored by the APC House of Representatives candidate for Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency, Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo, featured participants from across the 23 political wards in Ilorin East and South LGAs.
The grand finale, which attracted throngs of residents, political leaders, and sports enthusiasts from across the constituency, featured an exhibition match involving Engr. Olododo and Hon. Muktar Tolani Shagaya, Member representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency, further thrilled the spectators.
At the presentation ceremony, Engr. Olododo appreciated the participating athletes, organisers, political associates and residents who attended the championship. He noted that the sporting event was organised to promote youth engagement, grassroots sports development, social cohesion and talent discovery.
In his remarks, Engr. Olododo called on supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the federal constituency to mobilize voters for the party’s candidates, while expressing his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Jimoh Taiye Hassan, who emerged winner of the championship, received a cash prize of ₦50,000 and a Certificate of Excellence.
The first runner-up, AbdulHameed Hassan of Magaji Aare Ward II, and second runner-up, Ibrahim Kehinde of Ibagun Ward, also received cash prizes and certificates of participation.
The event was attended by Hon. Muktar Tolani Shagaya, Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo, Kwara State House of Assembly Leader, Hon. Barr. Oba Magaji, Hon. Arinola Lawal, Member representing Ilorin East State Constituency, and the Executive Chairman of Ilorin South LGA, Hon. Abdulmajeed Nuhu Podo, who was represented by Hon. AbdulAhmed Muhammed.
Also present were political leaders, ward stakeholders and residents from Ilorin East and South LGAs.
