16th August, 2013
President of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy, has said that the Lagos International Table Tennis Classics will serve as a good platform for the country’s ping pongers to showcase their talents and improve their rankings on the world stage.
The international tournament is stroking off next week at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos with array of foreign stars already signified their intentions of being part of the competition.
El-Salhy said: “It seems the event will be of a remarkable success due to value of entries and approved ranking validity. With Nigeria hosting such tournament, I want to say that it is going to create a good image for the game in Africa and a good platform for players to improve themselves.”
He admitted that the Classics would surely afforded Nigerian players to showcase their talents. “They (Nigerian players) have traditional strength, and for sure they will try to use the chance of playing at home to gain more experience and ranking.”
El-Salhy was thrilled with the quality of players that the tournament has attracted, saying it shows the quality of the organisation put together by the MOC. On plans to consider Nigeria for major ITTF competition in 2014, he said: “Yes for sure that Nigeria can host ITTF tournament and we are discussing this for 2014, maybe the second edition of the Lagos Classics
is going to be part of ITTF World Tour in 2014.”
Meanwhile, Lithuania, Cameroun and Senegal have joined the growing list of foreign countries where players will be coming for the event.
P.M.NEWS Sports gathered that Lithuania’s flag will be hoisted by one of its national players, Matas Skucas.
Also, the Secretary General of Cameroun Table Tennis Association, Moutien Eugene, who listed the quartet of Emmanuel Ngwe Nikeng, Jague Ken Jiotsa, Nguepi Euidioum Dimitri and Ndikum Asaah Prosper for the tournament, has confirmed Cameroun participation. The team will compete in the senior and junior events.
For Senegal, it was the President of the country’s table tennis federation, L. O. Balla that confirmed the team’s intention to the MOC. Balla listed the duo of Hamidou Sow and Dame Ndiaye Junio for the singles and doubles events, while the teams will be coached Mamadou Salif Niang.