‘Toriola Should Quit Now’

Segun Toriola may be the first Nigerian to appear in the Olympics with a record six appearances, but some table-tennis players in the country are calling on him to call it quits with the national team and concentrate on his club career.

Toriola crashed out of the ongoing Olympics unceremoniously, and some ping-pongers, who spoke to our reporter at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, believe he is old now and should quit the stage for younger players to represent the country.

First to air his view was female table-tennis player, Ramota Ibrahim. She is of the opinion that since the four times All African Games singles gold medalist, can no longer hold his own in international competitions, he should retire when the ovation is loudest.

Ibrahim argued that there is need for younger players to be allowed to represent the country, stating that table-tennis is a game of stamina, though he would not rule out experience.

“It’s true that the older the wine the better but it is not applicable in this case. Toriola should just leave the national table-tennis team for his own good now”.

Adetayo Suleiman is however different in his opinion, saying Toriola would continue to dominate table-tennis in Nigeria because he is based abroad, where facilities are of Olympic standard, then he also play in a vibrant league unlike what obtains in Nigeria.

He stated that table-tennis players on the home front will continue to play the second fiddle to their foreign-based counterparts because the authorities concerned in Nigeria are only interested to fill their pockets with government’s funds.

—Adebobola Alawode