Mexico’s duo of Salvador Uribe and Mercedes Madrid were the first set of foreing players to arrive for the ITTF Premier Lotto Nigeria Open just as Cameroun’s Sarah Hanffou will partner Nigeria’s Olufunke Oshonaike in the women’s doubles event of the championship.
Aside the Mexicans who arrived on Sunday May 15 from their base in France, Africa’s most decorated table tennis player, Segun Toriola become the first Nigerian foreign-based star that touched down in Lagos as well.
However, more players from Europe and Africa are expected to arrive on Monday for the tournament scheduled to serve off on Wednesday May 18 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Meanwhile, Cameroun’s Hanffou believes her presence in Lagos would help to promote her foundation. “I am delighted to participate to this tournament for many reasons. Nigeria is one of the best table tennis nations in Africa. They are blessed with a lot of good players.
Moreover, it is great that The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) organises a tournament in Africa. It enables African players to participate to a tournament in Africa. I hope it will encourage others countries to do the same. Lagos open will be my first tournament this Sudan. I started again practice. I hope my level of playing will be back,” she said.
The 2010 African champion added: “The level of the tournament is high. My goal is to give my best and enjoy myself. I look forward to playing doubles with Olufunke Oshonaike. Last year in Suzhou, we played for the first time, and we did pretty good. It is a honour to play with her,” she revealed.