Author: Vivian Ibobo

Ensure unforgettable experience at Paris Olympics, IOC President urges member nations

Olympics

By Vivian Ibobo

Lagos, June 29, 2024 (NAN) Member nations have been enjoined to take advantage of the Olympic family principles and ensure that the world enjoyed an unforgettable celebration of sports achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, said this in an address at the 2024 Olympic Day celebration in Lagos.

Olumide Oyedeji, President of the Nigerian Olympians Association (NOA) delivered Bach’s speech on Saturday at the National Stadium, Lagos.

Oyedeji also represented the President Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, at the occasion.

The IOC president also described this year’s Olympic Day Celebration as a ‘Special One’ as it coincided with the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

According to him, Paris 2024 also offers athletes the platform to inspire the world with the Olympic motto of togetherness.

”This year’s Olympic Day is a very special one, taking place just ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

”With the excitement building, the athletes, the fans, the entire Olympic community around the world – all of us- we are all looking forward to a new era of Olympic Games, younger, more inclusive, more urbane, more sustainable.

”It is the very first Olympic Games with full gender parity. The very first Olympic Games fully in line with our Olympic Agenda.

”The Olympic Games always build bridges and bring people together in peace and solidarity,” he said.

He further said, ”This is the beauty of sport; it inspires us to move, it brings out the best in us, it keeps us healthy, and it brings us all together – as friends and as a community, wherever we are and whichever way we choose to move.”

The IOC president said that he was looking forward, ‘together with all of you, to the Olympic Games Paris 2024, for an unforgettable celebration of the joy of sport, for a celebration of our shared humanity – for a celebration of peace!.’

Also speaking at the event, the 1996 Olympic Games gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa, said that the Olympic Day Celebration was s a great thing for lovers of sports.

She said that this year’s celebration was worth celebrating as it occurred in an Olympic Games year.

”It means a lot for all Nigerians that know what sport is all about, a market woman in the street may not know, but some of us that know what sport is all about, know that today is a great day in the Olympic family, and it is worth doing it because this year is Olympic year.

”Even if we have not been doing it in the past, I think it’s a great thing doing it this year, because we’re in full gear for our team moving to Paris.

”We know that this year is going to be like 1996. We’ve a lot of athletes that are really shaking the world,,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that apart from Lagos, this year’s Olympic Day Celebration, was also celebrated simultaneously in Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo, Gombe, Kogi and Ebonyi states.

It was also celebrated in Taraba, Plateau, Kwara, Osun, Delta, Imo and Adamawa states.

The Lagos event was spiced with the demonstration sports including boxing, tug-of-war, Muay Thai, skating and jogging by Joggers Fitness Club, Heritage Dancers as well as Aerobics display by Cheerladies. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

Camping

By Vivian Ibobo

Lagos, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Sunday Odebode, President, Paralympics Committee of Nigeria (PCN), on Wednesday in Lagos said their athletes for the upcoming Games in Paris had started camping ahead of the event.

Odebode added that the para-athletes and para-badminton players would be in Abuja for their camping, while the para-powerlifting and para-table tennis athletes would be in Lagos for the exercise.

”As you are all aware, the paralympic games is around the corner, and we at PCN are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure adequate preparations for our athletes, hence the decision to commence camping in earnest.

”This will put the athletes in good shape during the games where we hope to excel and make the country proud,” he said.

The PCN President also said its other federations would soon begin their camping once venues were secured.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the paralympic games will hold from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8 in Paris.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Defeat

By Vivian Ibobo

Lagos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Egypt’s Table Tennis player, Farida Badawy, on Friday defeated India’s top seed, Manika Batra, in the women’s singles at the 2024 WTT Contender Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match took place at the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The 20-year-old Egyptian’s triumph in the thrilling match with Batra, ranked 28 in the world, was in spite of her low world ranking (331).

Badawy, playing without a coach, took a 2-0 lead against the seasoned Indian superstar.

Batra fought back to level the score at 2-2, setting the stage for a tense deciding game.

Badawy’s determination was evident as she caught up with Batra, leading 8-5.

At 10-6, victory seemed within reach, but Batra rallied to 10-8.

In the end, Badawy secured a historic 3-2 win (11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8) to mark the pinnacle of her international career.

Badawy expressed joy and relief, “I’m very happy to be here in Lagos, playing against Manika Bartra, India’s top player, and winning 3-2—it’s a dream come true.

”I hope to perform well in my next match I am ready to give my best in all my game to come victorious.

”Lagos fans played a crucial role in supporting me throughout, adding that Nigerian fans are incredible acknowledged their cheers lifted me when I needed it most.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Olympics

By Vivian Ibobo

Lagos, June 19, 2024, (NAN) Offiong Edem, Nigeria’s international Table Tennis player, says she is targeting a quarter-final berth at the Paris Olympic.

Edem said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday at the opening of World Table Tennis Contender 2024 in Lagos.

”It is a good thing I qualify for the Olympic Games; I am very excited to still be playing actively and this will be my fifth. It’s not really easy, but you have to stay disciplined and committed.

”It was not an easy task, am very happy I made it to my fifth Olympics and I’m going to play my best and give my best to my nation.

”For me after the qualifier, I have been practicing and also we have tournaments too here in Lagos which will help me to prepare for the coming Olympics.

”I am aware we have training in Germany and I don’t know how true is that plan, but I know it will really go a long way for our preparations,” she said.

She also said the training in Germany would really help because she would be able to acclimatise over there .

She said, ”In 2020, I won the top 50 player and lost in the second round, I want to move further this time and I’m just trying to be focused.”

NAN reports that Edem, ranked 113 in the world, made her debut at the Olympic Games in Athens 2004.

She will be making her fifth Olympics appearance at the Paris games.

The former African Games champion has been the mainstay of the Nigerian female team. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Players
By Vivian Ibobo

Lagos, June 19, 2024 (NAN)Some international Table Tennis players on Wednesday commended the organisers as well as the hospitality of Nigerians at the ongoing WTT Contender Lagos.

The players, XU Huiyao and LUO Jiecheng, made this known at the World Table Tennis Contender Lagos at the Molade Okoya Thomas indoor Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament which served off on June 19 will end on June 23.

They said that their respective experience in Nigeria so far had been wonderful, adding that the atmosphere was also very good for them.

They also said that being their first time in Nigeria they found the people very welcoming.

They said that they started from the qualification match and progressed in their game in spite of challenges.

They said that their perseverance and skills in training enabled them to win their game,
adding that they were very happy and would also be better prepared in subsequent games.

Also, Francis Antwi, an international table tennis player from Ghana, who competed in the men singles said he is proud to be in Lagos playing the WTT Contender.

”As this is my second time at the event and I have just won my first match in the qualifying round 3-0 and I’m very happy.

”I am very proud to be here to play such a nice event, have won my first round match so I’d just be focused on training and waiting for my next opponent.

”My opponent might be from China or wherever, so I’m just focusing, training for the next round.

Similarly, Mustapha Mustapha, a Nigeria table tennis player, said it was his second time competing in WTT contender Lagos,

He said,”Last year I lost at the first round of the qualifying draw and I told myself next year it has to be better.

”I couldn’t lose at the first round last year and still come and lose at the first round again.

”Even though I had a tight match against my junior brother, he’s also very good, I think it was a 50/50 match, it was just a hard luck for me and I wish to do better.

”I am looking forward to getting into the main draw, I have one more match to win against a player from Ghana. I wish myself luck because I know am going to do better.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Table-Tennis

By Vivian Ibobo

Lagos, June 18, 2024 (NAN) Lekan Fatodu, Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, on Tuesday restated the government’s commitment to provide the right atmosphere for hosting international tournaments in the state.

Fatodu gave the assurance in his opening address at the news conference for the Lagos World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender, scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event is scheduled to hold at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium from Wednesday June 19 to June 23.

Fatodu said that the state would parade home grown talents that would favourably contest with the international Stars at the tournament.

“It’s on a very good note that l welcome everyone to the first WTT Contender Series in Sub-Saharan Africa in the state of the Aquatic splendour, Lagos, Nigeria.

“We are very glad to welcome our Table Tennis Players to another milestone in the history of the state in promoting sporting excellence, where the WTT Contender will be unfolding for the next five days.

“As a state, we are ever ready for this kind of showpiece as our homegrown and budding players like Muizz Adegoke and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai are already warming up for the world event.

“Our indefatigable Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been demonstrating unwavering support in sporting infrastructure,” he said.

Fatodu added that they would leave no stone unturned in the development of sports and other activities that would expose athletes in the state to international championships.

”It’s on this note that our home and international players will enjoy a hitch free tournament as the event is about to record another inspiring achievement in the ping-pong game.

“Our visiting players will also enjoy the hospitality nature of the state in terms of accommodation, transportation and our attractive tourists’ centres.

“We cannot do away with the development of sports in our circle and this 400 ITTF world ranking points Table Tennis championships.

“The championships serves as an avenue for our local players to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Brazilian Hugo Calderano, Dimitrij Ovtcharov of Germany, among top players ready to feature in this tournament,” he said.

Fatodu said that Lagos was a pacesetter in the sports and infrastructure development.

“Hosting another world championship in the commercial nerve centre of the country is putting the state on the world map and also creating an avenue for the budding talents to explore and excel.

“This is Lagos and we are open to subsequent major tournaments.

“Welcome to Lagos, Nigeria, where WTT Contender is taking place and we are very sure that champions will be unveiled here,” he said. (NAN)

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Emmanuel Afonne

Tennis

By Vivian Ibobo

Lagos, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has formally confirmed the eventual qualification of Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Algeria’s Lynda Loghraibi from Africa, for the singles event of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France.

The confirmation was made in a statement issued on Friday by the ITTF with representation from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe.

“As the countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games intensifies, ITTF is thrilled to announce significant progress in the qualification process for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

With less than 50 days to the games, this week’s world ranking update saw eight athletes secure their participation based on the selection of continental quotas allocated by World Ranking.

According to the statement, the Men’s Singles draw welcomes African powerhouse, Quadri Aruna from Nigeria, alongside the Americas’ rising talent Nicolas Burgos from Chile.

The list also had Asia’s Kirill Gerassimenko of Kazakhstan and Europe’s Alvaro Robles of Spain, who previously qualified in Mixed Doubles.

The ITTF also said that the Women’s Singles competition would showcase a similar level of global talent with the qualification of Lynda Loghraibi from Algeria (Africa), Adriana Diaz of Puerto Rico (Americas) and Singapore’s Zhou Jingyi (Asia).

Also Yang Xiaoxin of Monaco (Europe) can now officially begin their preparations for their Olympic dreams in Paris.”

ITTF stated that the qualification process would reach its penultimate stage with only one more world ranking update scheduled before the final roster for Paris is confirmed.

“Next week’s world rankings will be crucial in determining the final competitors for the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Games, 86 men and 86 women are expected to compete in the singles events of the Olympic Games,” ITTF added in the statement.

Meanwhile, ITTF has named three Africans – Akram Ben Attia (Tunisia), Es-Sayed Elrawdy (Egypt) and Ronald Mugwanya (Uganda) among the umpires for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Ezugwu and Emmanuel Afonne

Ranking

By Vivian Ibobo

Lagos, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Nigeria’s Table Tennis sensation, Quadri Aruna, continues his steady rise on the ITTF ranking by gaining one step up on the ladder to occupy the 16th spot as the highest African ranked player.

According to a statement on Wednesday by the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Aruna moves to the 16th position in Week 23 of the 2024 ITTF ranking on June 4.

Also, Aruna’s quest to garner more points ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France, has pitted him against home-boy Frane Kojic in the first round of the men’s singles at the 2024 WTT Contender Zagreb in Serbia.

Aruna started his rise in the ranking in Week 22 after his round of 16 finish at the Saudi Smash last month.

He had his appeal accepted by the ITTF Executive Board for his World Table Tennis Championships points to be restored and this prompted his movement to 16th place in the latest ranking.

However, Aruna, awaits formal confirmation from ITTF for his qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

”The ranking will be used to determine the final list of players who will join the flight to France’s most populous city, Paris next month for the Olympic Games,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Spain’s Alvaro Robles has become the biggest mover in the ITTF ranking after achieving another career-high ranking.

It has been over six years since Robles has scored a career-high ranking as the Spaniard kicked off 2018 sitting at No.37 in the world and had never been as high since.

But with the latest rating, Robles jumped 15 places up the ladder to No.32, shaving five places off his previous record.

This is a phenomenal testament to the his commitment to the sport and also to his recent form.

The 33-year-old has been to the final of two WTT events in 2024, including last week’s WTT Contender Mendoza.

Although he lost out on the title in a thrilling seven-game duel with Benedikt Duda of Germany, the new career-high ranking will add further fuel to Robles’ fire to go even higher. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong