Boboye stages huge upset in ITTF Western Region Championship

Nigeria’s teenage table tennis sensation Samuel Boboye has started the ITTF Western Region Championship in fine form, claiming the scalp of the defending champion in a close contest in Lagos, Nigeria.

Boboye, who came into prominence during the ITTF African Championship in Cameroon only months ago, was named as one of the top-ranked players to represent hosts Nigeria in the second edition of the four-day tournament with Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Togo and Liberia also in attendance.

The 17-year-old Boboye defeated the top seed and reigning champion Oba Oba Kizito 3-0 (11-8; 13-11; 11-9) with a dominant display to send the Ivorian out of the singles event at the ITTF Western Region Championship at the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall in Lagos.

Boboye is representing Nigeria alongside Azeez Solanke in the male category, with national champion Fatimo Bello representing the country in the female category. More established stars such as Aruna Quadri and Funke Oshonaike have been excluded from the tournament.