Toriola Tips Nigerians To Shine At Lagos T/Tennis Classics

Nigerian table tennis star, Segun Toriola, has tipped the country’s ping pongers to shine at the maiden Lagos International Table Tennis Classics which gets underway from Thursday this week at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Speaking at the world press conference to herald the International Table Tennis Federation, ITTF, sanctioned competition early today, Toriola, who had won several medals for the country in the sport in international events, said that he was glad that the Classics will give opportunity for upcoming players the chances to expose themselves and improve their skills in table tennis.

“I’m so happy that this tournament will give our young players chances to improve their skills,” said Toriola, who had represented Nigeria at six Summer Olympics debuting at Barcelona.

“Let me made this clear that even the Africa’s top player, Assar of Egypt cannot intimidate any of our players in this competition because we are alll here to play our game and thank goodness that this is an individual sport where success depends on how good a player is.

“I have the confidence that the likes of Haruna Quadri, Seun Ajetunmobi and others will shine and will not let the foreign players take the shine off them when the competition starts,” he said.

President of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, NTTF, Mr. Wahid Enitan Oshodi told the world that Lagos is ready to host a memorable competition that will stand the test of time in the history of Nigerian sports for some times to come. he added that his board will resuscitate the dwindling fortune of the sport.

—Emmanuel Osodi