By Olukoya Olusesan
Ibakan Oke, a community in the Ijebu North local government area of Ogun State is gearing up for the Baale Oluranti Ilori Table Tennis Championship 2026, and excitement is already in the air! The much-anticipated tournament—renowned for promoting community spirit, youth development, and athletic excellence is set to make a grand return on the 1st of January, 2026.
This year’s edition promises intense competition, thrilling rallies, and renewed energy from both players and fans who will be coming to Ibakan Oke from Idofe, Iganran, Falafounmu, Ibakan Oke and Isale, Odosapo Jinloye and Toloye, Imope, Aparaki, Odoalamo, Ipari Oke, Odokalaba, Okeyejo, Ilaporu, Ipari Isale, Oru, Oke-Olowu, Oke-Eri, Idona, Ago Iwoye, Awa and Ijebu-Igbo as the Baale Oluranti Ilori Championship has become a symbol of unity, discipline, and growth for the Ibakan Oke, the nearby communities and beyond.
The event which holds every first of the year by 2pm at Ibakan Oke, Ijebu will take place at the same venue at Ibakan Oke, Ijebu on Wednesday, January 1, 2026
The sponsor of the annual tournament who is the Atunluse of Ibakan Kingdom in Ogun State, Baale Oluranti Ademola Ilori has announced that the January 2026 edition of the Annual Baale Oluranti Ilori Table Tennis Championship will continue to serve as a beacon of unity, sportsmanship, and growth within the Ibakan Oke community and environs. ”This initiative was founded to promote community development through sports—brings together youths, sports enthusiasts, and residents in a celebration of talent, discipline, and teamwork. As preparations for the 2026 edition intensify, expectations are high for another successful tournament that will not only showcase sporting excellence but also strengthen the spirit of togetherness and development in our communities” he explained.
“The planning committee members are working hard relentlessly towards ensuring a successful eight edition of the annual championship as all the youths in the listed communities are gearing up to participate in the annual championship” Baale concluded.
Speaking on the tournament, Chairman of the organising committee, Olusesan Olukoya assured that the eight edition will be remarkable, memorable and glamorous as the planning committee members have been working hard to put in place a befitting championship to ensure that the participants and fans have a fun filled experience just as he expressed gratitude to Baale Olurati Ilori for the annual sponsorship of the event that aims to unify the community youths across the borders.
” I want to bless and give all the glory to the Almighty God who made it possible for us to be witnessing the eight edition of this all important annual tournament in Ijebuland which commenced and has been running uninterrupted since the maiden edition in January 2019. I am also very excited that the main purpose of this tournament which is to create mutual understanding and cordial relationship amongst Ijebu youths has been achieved and the youths now look forward to participating in the competition every 1st January of each new year.
“It is on record that since inception, winners have emerged from Ibakan-Isale, Ibakan-Oke, Aparaki and Odosapo; though it holds in Ibakan Oke annually courtesy of the sponsorship of Baale Oluranti Ilori’’.
He explained that the first, second, third and fourth winners would be presented with cash, medals, Branded T-shirts, and trophy as well as other valuable prizes. Olukoya appealed to youths of Ijebuland to troop out in their numbers to be part of the biggest table tournament in Ijebuland as usual.
Community youths are to stay tuned for updates on registration, schedules, and highlights as the countdown begins to what promises to be one of the most exciting sporting events of 2026!