Lagos Celebrates Okoya-Thomas At Evening Of Tributes

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Late Okoya-Thomas

The Nigerian sports family yesterday converged on Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos to observe an epic Evening of Tributes for the late Sir. Chief (Dr.) Alexander Molade Okoya-Thomas.

The event was organised by the Office of Sports, Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development for Okoya-Thomas who died on 1 February, 2015.

The evening presented an opportunity for sports stakeholders in Lagos and indeed Nigeria to pay glowing tributes to Molade Okoya-Thomas, who was a Joint All Nigeria record holder in 4 x 220 yards relay race while at Baptist Academy, Lagos.

The occasion not only drew people from Okoya-Thomas’ first love —Table Tennis, to the Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium which was named in his honour on 8 June, 2010 by the Lagos State government, but also people from other sports events who came to pay their last respects.

Late Okoya-Thomas
Late Okoya-Thomas

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire in her tribute, said the deceased’s legacies and good works speak for him and will remain indelible in the hearts of many Nigerians.

“Lagos State government and sports lovers in Nigeria will miss this great man who we cannot but celebrate today,” she said.

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Banji Oladapo, Executive Vice President of African Table Tennis Federation, ATTF, described Okoya-Thomas as a human monument, philanthropist and a father of all sports, particularly table tennis, in which he was a colossus sponsor, adding that the demise of the longest sponsor of table tennis in Nigeria and Africa will have far-reaching effects on youth development in the country and on the continent.

Chief Jonathan Ogufere, who led the Association of Sports Veterans to the occasion, said of the death of their patron: “We are yet to come to terms with the reality of his death. No, we have not. He was a unique Nigerian, detribalized, selfless and a born philanthropist who used God’s blessings to enrich mankind.”

The Veterans called on the children of the deceased not to let the Asoju Oba tourney die with Molade Okoya-Thomas. “We want you to keep the love for Asoju Oba competition and other sports as did your father in his time,” Ogufere said.

Former broadcaster, Fabio Lanipekun recalled that in 1968 when the Asoju Oba competition began, Egypt and Ghana were ahead of Nigeria in table tennis, “but by 1973, Nigeria overtook them and has remained invincible in Africa. The Asoju Oba championships have been the kindergarten, nursery, primary and secondary schools and participants from 1968 have always ended up as Nigerian and African champions, men and women.”

Peter Rufai, former Nigerian goalkeeper wanted Nigerians to learn a moral lesson from the life of the late Okoya-Thomas whom he described as a father to many of the Super Eagles players during their days in the senior national teams.

The Evening of Tributes also witnessed speeches from ex champions of Asoju Oba tourney, players and coaches. A short documentary that depicts the life of the late Molade Okoya-Thomas was shown to the dignitaries while choral performances from Lagos Choir added glamour to the biggest Evening of Tributes in recent time.

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