Lagbede Pickleball Club Ondo Hosts Successful Inaugural Annual Tournament Grand Finale

The Lagbede Pickleball Club, Ondo, has successfully concluded its Inaugural Annual Pickleball Tournament with an exciting grand finale that brought together players, sports enthusiasts, distinguished guests and members of the community.The tournament, which culminated yesterday, attracted enthusiastic spectators to the stadium, while hundreds more followed the action through Facebook Live. The atmosphere throughout the event was characterized by excitement, sportsmanship, encouragement and a strong sense of community.The grand finale featured the semi-finals and finals in several categories, including Men’s Singles (Senior and Junior), Men’s Doubles (Senior and Junior), and Men’s Veterans Doubles. Beyond the competition, the tournament demonstrated the potential of pickleball as a tool for promoting physical fitness, mental wellbeing, youth development and positive community engagement.

Princess Fadejogun Encourages Young Players: One of the highlights of the grand finale was the surprise appearance of Princess Fadejogun Oluwamayokun Ade-Ayoola, founder of Eki Chat Show, a community media platform focused on issues affecting the Ondo Kingdom, youth empowerment, teenagers and local development.Addressing the young players, Princess Fadejogun shared aspects of her life journey and encouraged them to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams and remain committed to their aspirations.She reminded the young participants that there should be no limit to what they can achieve when they combine determination, discipline and self-belief. Her presence and words of encouragement added a special dimension to the tournament and further reinforced the event’s emphasis on youth empowerment.

Ondo Sports Council Commends Initiative: The General Manager of the Ondo State Sports Council was also among the distinguished guests at the grand finale.She commended the organisers for introducing the initiative and specifically praised Chief Prof. Bonaventure A. Akinlosotu, Founder and Patron of Lagbede Pickleball Club, Ondo, for his vision and commitment to giving back to the community.She described the initiative as an example of how Ondo indigenes in the diaspora can contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities and create opportunities for younger generations.The Sports Council boss stressed that government alone cannot meet all the developmental needs of society, urging individuals, organisations and Ondo indigenes at home and abroad to support initiatives capable of positively impacting their communities.

Distinguished Guests Honour Grand Finale: The occasion was also graced by the Co-Patron, Chief Prof. Sunday Ogunyile, former Vice-Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, alongside other distinguished guests, officials, supporters, players and lovers of the sport.The club also acknowledged the contributions of its patrons, executive committee members, veterans, volunteers and other supporters who worked tirelessly to make the tournament a success.Special recognition was given to Mr. Lukman Garba, the club’s coach, for his exceptional dedication to the tournament. He reportedly spent several hours coordinating activities under the scorching sun during the grand finale, following his efforts on the previous day.The club also expressed appreciation to Mr. Henry Akinlosotu and his wife for their presence and assistance with refreshments, as well as veterans including Alhaji Lamidi and Pastor Arowolo David, among others.

A Vision for Youth Development: Speaking on the significance of the tournament, the Chairman of Lagbede Pickleball Club, Prof. J.O. Akinbi, expressed gratitude to God and acknowledged the vision and support of the club’s Founder and Patron, Chief Prof. Bonaventure A. Akinlosotu. He commended the Founder for his foresight, vision and magnanimity in establishing and sustaining the Lagbede Pickleball Club, Ondo, describing it as the third of its kind in Nigeria. According to him, the tournament represents more than sporting competition. It provides young people with a meaningful avenue to develop their physical and mental wellbeing while remaining positively engaged.

The Chairman also appreciated the financial and moral support of the club’s Co-Patron and Adviser, noting that the contributions of the patrons and their spouses played an important role in the success of the tournament.He prayed for longevity, vibrant health and continued blessings for all those who have contributed to the growth of the club.

Celebrating Teamwork and Community: The successful tournament was also a reflection of the commitment of the club’s Executive Committee, whose dedication, teamwork and sense of responsibility helped deliver the inaugural competition.The organisers expressed appreciation to all the junior, senior and veteran players, noting that without their participation, the tournament would not have been possible.They equally thanked the spectators who attended the event physically, those who watched through Facebook Live, and everyone who cheered, encouraged and supported the players.Beyond the trophies and competitive matches, the inaugural tournament demonstrated the power of sports, mentorship, community participation and collective responsibility in creating opportunities and inspiring the next generation.

For Lagbede Pickleball Club, Ondo, the successful completion of the tournament represents a significant milestone and a strong foundation for future editions.The organisers expressed optimism that the club will continue to grow and contribute to the development of pickleball, youth engagement and community development in Ondo and beyond.

A Message of Appreciation :The organisers concluded with a message of gratitude to everyone who contributed to the historic event:“To everyone who came to the stadium, joined us virtually, cheered for the players, or supported the vision: THANK YOU! Together, we made the Inaugural Annual Pickleball Tournament a remarkable success.