NAN-S-10
Table tennis
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Dec. 18, 2017 (NAN) A board member of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Anderson Bankole, has described players’ performances at the just-ended 2017 National Table Tennis Championships as impressive.
Bankole told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that the players’ performance at the competition was an indication of a positive grassroots development of the game.
“The performances of the players are an indication of commitment to training by players in various states.
“They exhibited good techniques in their various categories,’’ he said.
Bankole said the championships would provide a good platform for the federation to evaluate the players to be selected for camping for the Commonwealth Games.
“Our players are doing marvelously well. My observation is that the future is bright for us, judging by the performances of players in both the able-bodied and para-player categories.
“The main purpose of the championships was to kick-start preparations for the Commonwealth Games coming up next year.
“We have taken note of some outstanding players to be called to camp from the national open championships,’’ he said.
NAN reports that 347 players participated in the championships organised by the NTTF at National Stadium in Lagos.
The competition was held between Tuesday and Saturday.
In the female singles category, Cecelia Akpan, defended the title she won in 2016 edition by beating Fatima Bello 4-0.
Akpan won the tournament’s cash prize of N100,000 for her efforts.
The national champion told NAN after her victory that winning the competition would give her the opportunity to be part of the Commonwealth Games’ camping.
“The players who participated in these championships have really shown an improved performance at the grassroots.
“Even those players I played against from the round of 16 to the final are very good.
“But in spite of everything, I just thank God for winning, because my target was to retain the title.
“This will give me the opportunity to be part of Commonwealth Games’ camping.
“I must commend the NTTF for this opportunity and the umpires for a good job,” she said.
Bello, who went home with N50,000, expressed satisfaction with the standard of the championships.
“I was excited getting to the final, but unfortunately I lost to a better player.
“It was a wonderful championships, but tough. However, I am thankful to God for everything, I will work harder in the next edition,’’ she said.
In other categories, Jimoh Rofiat won the junior girls singles, while Aiyelabegan Sukurat was the runner-up.
In the junior boys event, Jamiu Ayanwale emerged champion, while Mati Taiwo came second.
Ezurike Ifeoma won the women’s class 1-3 in the para table tennis event, while Oluwaseun Opawole came second.
In men’s singles 1-3, Koleosho Ahmed emerged the champion, while Oluade Egbiola came second.(NAN)
MIL/DEB/OLAL
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(Edited by Debo Oshundun and Olawale Alabi)