Table tennis legend Quadri Aruna has applauded the vision behind the National Intermediate Games, tagged Eko 2026, describing it as a groundbreaking initiative to discover Nigeria’s next generation of sporting talents.
The maiden edition of the tournament will be held in Lagos from October 1 to 15, featuring over 15,000 athletes from across the country competing in 28 sporting events across 10 venues.
Aruna, the only African player to have broken into the world’s top 10 rankings, paid a courtesy visit to Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in Alausa, Ikeja. Accompanied by his wife, Ganiat, and their children, he expressed excitement about the multi-sports fiesta, hailing Lagos as Africa’s sports hub with a rich history of hosting world-class events.
“Sports in Nigeria has faced challenges, but this initiative is the best way to restore our lost glory. Returning to the grassroots is always the right approach, and this event will set us on the right path again. Kudos to the President and the National Sports Commission for bringing this to life. It’s going to be amazing, fun, and one of the best events ever,” Aruna said.
Reflecting on Lagos as host, Aruna noted that the state played a pivotal role in his career and is well-positioned to deliver a befitting tournament. “We’ve seen Lagos host several international events, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Commissioners consistently supporting sports. This is a golden opportunity for young athletes. They should embrace it, give their best, enjoy the experience, and learn as much as possible to succeed in life.”
Recalling his humble beginnings, Aruna shared: “I started from the streets of Oyo town at age seven, just playing for fun. I never imagined I would become one of the best players in the world. This event is an opportunity for all Nigerian youths, not just those in Lagos. They must be disciplined, determined, eager to learn, and believe in themselves. It doesn’t matter where they come from—everything is possible. Just as people say, ‘Oyo to the World,’ they too can rise from their towns to the world stage. This is their chance to showcase talent and achieve greatness.”
Omotoso, who also serves as Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of the Eko 2026 LOC, described Aruna’s endorsement as highly symbolic, especially for an event hosted by Lagos.
“For me, it’s an exciting experience to see such solidarity from Aruna Quadri, one of the giants of table tennis. His support for the National Intermediate Games, the first of its kind, is significant. It shows what can be achieved when you put your mind to something. Aruna himself is a symbol of possibility—he started just like many of the athletes who will compete in these games. Seeing him endorse and encourage them will inspire energy, determination, and purpose. They will realize that from competing at the National Intermediate Games, they too can rise to the world stage and showcase their talent,” Omotoso said.
