Ibadan: The President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Dr. Adesoji Tayo, has encouraged inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Agodi, Ibadan, to consider pursuing careers in table tennis and not underestimate their potential.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Tayo provided this encouragement during the 2026 Table Tennis Competition organized for the inmates at the Agodi facility. He emphasized that many individuals have built successful careers in table tennis, both domestically and internationally. Dr. Tayo highlighted the benefits of sports, noting that it serves as a shortcut to success and contributes to physical health and energy.
Dr. Tayo praised the inmates who participated in the competition for their excellent performance and urged them to maintain their efforts. He assured them that continued excellence could lead to support from others once they are released from custody. “We want to ensure that these talented individuals have opportunities and support when they return to society,” he stated.
He also commended the custodial centre’s authorities for incorporating sports into the rehabilitation process and expressed his commitment to enhancing the facility’s conditions for sports and learning. “We are going to equip them with enough equipment and make the environment more conducive for playing table tennis and other activities,” Dr. Tayo promised.
The officer in charge of the centre, Deputy Controller of Corrections Akadiri David, thanked Dr. Tayo and his colleague, Mr. Ademola Ajibike, for attending the competition final. He emphasized the role of sports in improving inmates’ physical and mental well-being and supporting the correctional system’s broader objectives. David noted that regular physical exercise promotes good health and helps reduce illness amongst inmates, allowing them to focus on their futures.
The competition concluded with an awaiting trial inmate, Tunde Lasisi, defeating Ayoola Sunday, a convicted inmate, in the final singles match, emerging as the winner.