NAN-S-1
Logistics
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Aug. 9, 2017 (NAN) Technical officials have lauded the organisation of the ongoing “Seamaster International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Challenge Nigeria Open’’ in Lagos, saying the logistics and other aspects were satisfactory.
Dotun Omoniyi, Head Coach of Ondo State Table Tennis association (OSTA) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that he was impressed with the efficient arrangement for the tournament.
“I am impressed by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) for providing international standard equipment for the competition and the nearness of hotel accommodations to the competition venue is suitable.
“The Local Organising Committee headed by Wahid Enitan-Oshodi has done a very good job.
“I am close to most of the national athletes and some of the visitors and they are happy,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as the competition entered Day 2.
“Everything is well organised, the hotel is a walking distance from the competition venue, the hall, tables, spectators stand, security, medicals, and conveniences are just marvelous.’’
The coach also expressed confidence in the capacity of the country’s representatives in the championships, and added that they would perform creditably.
According to him, some of the players in the junior categories, singles, mixed doubles and team’s events have performed creditably in major national championships which earned them the right to feature.
“We have the likes of Jide Omotayo, Tosin Oribamise, Ojo Onalapo, Sholanke Azeez, Ojomo Ajoke, Sukanmi Ogini and our foreign-based players, including Funke Oshonaike, Aruna Quadri, Seun Ajetumobi and a host of others.
Omoniyi told NAN that the junior players in their categories were now playing in foreign clubs which, he said, had helped to expose them and improve their skills.
“Our players are competent because they have the experience and I am sure they will bring it to play for them to excel from one stage to another,’’ he added.
In the same vein, John Peters, an ITTF Umpire, also lauded the NTTF for improving the standards of the tournament which began in 2013 with the Nigerian Classics.
Peter said the tournaments had helped to keep budding national players to be at par with their peers from other climes.
“The tournament is one of the greatest things that have happened to table tennis in our country, as the tournament progresses, we can see lots of improvements.
“Those of our players that have been part of this tournament since its inception are really doing well, they have built confidence and played freely with their peers abroad,’’ he said.
NAN reports that no fewer than 95 male and 55 female players from 22 countries are currently participating in the 46,000 dollars prize competition which ends Aug. 13. (NAN)
MIL/ERO/PDE
==========
(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Peter Ejiofor)