African table tennis championship: NTTF invites 12 players to camp

By Ifeanyi Eduzor

Ahead of the three major African table tennis championships to be hosted by Nigeria, the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation has invited 12 players to camp in preparation for the tournaments.

Those invited are made up of six male and six female players who where selected after a three day trials held at the tennis knock up hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos includes; Rilwan Akanbi, Taiwo Mati, Amadi Oneh, Solanke Azeez , Orok Etim and Ayanwale Jamiu. While the females are; Bello Fatima, Tosin Onibandise, Ojomu Ajoke, Odusanya Abosade, Fashola Aminat and Udoka Hope.

The athletes according to NTTF who are billed to represent the country at the African Regional Tennis Championship, African Club Championship and ITTF African Cup Championship which Nigeria is hosting  will be later joined by some players who performed well at the trials.

Meanwhile President of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation Ishaku Tikon has expressed joy at the  performance of the athletes during the trials ;saying its a sign that new athletes are now ready to replace the ageing ones which is a good development for the ping pong game in the country even as he expressed confidence that those who made the team will not disappoint at the continental championships

“I’m happy with the trials because it gave all the athletes opportunity to exhibit their talents and at the end of the day the best ones where chosen for camping ahead of the tournaments and with what I saw, it’s a good development for the sports because many young athletes showed class which an indication that we now have younger ones that are gradually taking over from the old athletes.