Games
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, July 17, 2018 (NAN) Nigeria’s ping-pong representatives in the forthcoming African Youth Games (AYG) in Algiers, Algeria, have promised podium finish in the competitions holding from July 17 to July 28.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tosin Oribamise and Azeez Sholanke qualified for the Games and will feature in singles and team events in the 10-day competition.
Oribamise told NAN on Tuesday that their two months in camp had provided an enabling environment to sharpen her skill under the supervision of coach Nasiru Bello and Ajayi Olubode.
“I have been participating in a number of championships and doing my little best. So, this AYG is another opportunity to add to my feats and to make the nation proud.
“My target is to come out top in the girls’ singles event that will place me on the podium to receive the gold medal, I have therefore been compelled to work hard, committed and dedicated.
“We had a memorable camp session, the sports authorities did well in with our welfare and we didn’t have course to complain, while the coaching crew remained wonderful,” she said.
Sholanke told NAN that they had a busy camp that took them through various programmes, such as backhand spine and services, which have fortified his ability.
He commended the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the national camping, adding that the duration created an enabling environment for the coaching crew to do the needful in their preparations.
“The camp was okay, there was significant improvement in our services and strokes. I am fully ready and I promise that we will win available medals in our events,” he said.
Meanwhile, Coach Olubode has said that the national camp was held in Lagos with training sessions conducted twice daily and athletes subjected to comprehensive trials during the period.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the athletes, describing them as ready to sweep the medals in their events.
he added that they responded to training and took to necessary corrections.
“The preparation was good and based on their activities in camp, I am hopeful that the three gold medals in the boys, girls singles and team event will be won by Nigeria,” he said.
NAN reports that Nigeria won one gold and a bronze medal in table tennis event, while team Nigeria finished in 3rd position in the 2014 AYG held in Botswana. (NAN)
MIL/KOLE/PDE
===========
(Edited by Remi Koleoso/Peter Ejiofor)