NAN-S-1
T/Tennis
Lagos, Nov. 21, 2017 (NAN) Rilwan Akanbi, defending champion of men’s single event of the Asoju Oba Table Tennis Championships, says he is ready to defend his title at the 49th edition of the competition.
Akanbi won the title for the first time in 2016 after defeating senior title holder, Azeez Solanke, by 4-3 to lift the coveted trophy.
The Lagos State-born star said he was bracing up to shield off competitions from opponents at the championships which would serve off on Nov. 27.
“I am not ready to hand over the title to anyone because I have been training hard for the tournament this year.
“I am aware that a lot of players are eager to be part of this year’s tournament and I must be candid to conclude that it is not going to be an easy ride for me.
“But in all, I am ready to fight to hold on to my title,”Akanbi said.
The player, who was part of the Nigeria team to the 2016 World Junior Championship in South Africa, added that the experience he garnered in the competition would aid his performance in the event.
“Attending the World Juniors has really exposed me to new techniques in the game.
“I played against the best players in the world, particularly the Asians, and I believe this will be helpful to me.
“This year’s tournament will be exciting and I look forward to showcasing my skills again,” the player said.
As the longest running competition in Nigeria, the annual Asoju Oba Cup which started in 1968 has produced many of top players for Nigeria, including Atanda Musa and Late Yomi Bankole.
The tournament has continued to grow in leaps and bounds even after the demise of the financier of the competition, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas in 2015.
The children of the late business mogul have continued to stage the tournament with plans to make the 50th edition memorable in 2018. (NAN)
KOA/MO/WOJ
(Edited by Omolade M M/Wale Ojetimi)