In a move to give back to the community and uncover fresh talent, former Commonwealth champion Atanda Musa is organizing a two-day national invitational cadet championship at the Lagos Country Club, taking place from Monday, August 26, to Tuesday, August 27.Musa, who is currently based in the United States, has stated that the tournament is designed to discover emerging talent and support the efforts of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF).
The event, organized in partnership with the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA), will showcase the top 16 boys and girls who excelled at the recently concluded Efunkoya National Cadet Championships, competing in singles events.PpAccording to LSTTA Chairman Tunji Lawal, the tournament is both timely and crucial for identifying talents who can represent Lagos State in national competitions.
“We are thrilled that Atanda Musa is sponsoring this cadet tournament, which aligns perfectly with our objective of nurturing young players to succeed the older generation. Lagos State has historically produced some of the country’s finest players, but many have moved to other states due to a lack of resources. This tournament will enable us to identify new talents who can become key members of the state team for major competitions.
It will also help hone our players’ skills ahead of the upcoming Youth Games in Delta next month,” Lawal commented.Atanda Musa, now 64, is widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest table tennis players, celebrated for his exceptional backhand and looping techniques. Throughout his career, he has played in various countries, including Spain during his peak years.Beyond his playing achievements, the 10-time African Champion is also passionate about coaching.
He became a full-time coach in Saudi Arabia in 1992, later moving to Qatar in 1995 to coach at the Ali Club. In 1997, he returned to Nigeria to continue both playing and coaching before eventually relocating to the United States.Musa’s coaching philosophy centers on hard work, discipline, and dedication, with a strong emphasis on developing players’ skills and helping them achieve their full potential. He currently resides in New York City, where he coaches at SPIN during his free time.
