17th August, 2011
The seven gold medals ambition of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation,NTTF, at the All Africa Games, AAG, starting early next month in Maputo, Mozambique may become unrealiseable due to the threat being posed by their Congolese counterpart.
In a bid to boost their chances of winning gold medals at the Pan Africa tourney,the Congolese Table Tennis Association, has naturalised two Chinese players to play for the East Africa country in Maputo.
This move has posed a serious challenge to the seven gold medal haul being targeted by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation.
In his reaction to the development, the scribe of NTTF, Mr. Segun Oguntade, said they are aware of the development, but he has confident on his players to come out victorious in Maputo.
“We are not scared in any way with the inclusion of naturalised Chinese players in the Congolese team.With the calibre of players that will represent us in Maputo and their present form I am sure of good outing from them when the games start.
“We can boast of experienced players in the likes of Segun Toriola, Nasiru and Morountohun who have played against the best players in the world. I dont see them afraid of the Congolese players.
“The players and coaches are adequately prepared for all challenges that lie ahead of our mission to win as much as 7 gold medals.We are ready for all oppositions that may come our way be it the Congolese,South Africans or the Egyptians who have recently been proving stubborn,â€Oguntade said.
—Bamidele Olowosagba