The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Olalekan Okusan

  • Nigeria’s Oribamise makes African team for ITTF World Cadet Challenge

    Nigeria’s Oribamise makes African team for ITTF World Cadet Challenge

    Apart from helping Nigeria to qualify for the 2016 World Junior Championship in South Africa, Esther Oribamise yesterday confirmed her spot in the girls’ four-man African team to the 2016 World Cadet Challenge holding in Shanghai, China.

    Oribamise secured her place after beating Algeria’s NASRI Malissa 9-11,11-5,11-7,7-11,4-11,7-11 in the quarterfinal of the girls cadet singles at the ongoing ITTF African Junior & Cadet Championship taking place in Algiers.

    Also already listed in the team are Egypt’s FATHY Rinad and Tunisia’s BAKLOUTI Manel while the last slot will be decided at the end of the final match as each country is expected to have one player in the four-man team.

    However, Abayomi Animasahun has missed out of the boys’ team after failing to qualify from the group stage of the cadet boys’ singles.

    From the three matches Animasahun played in Group A, he lost 3-0 to Egypt’s ABDELWAHAB Marwan and 3-1 to Congo Brazzaville’s KIASSI Regis while his only victory in the group was against Algeria’s LAZAZI Azzeddine.

    As it is Egypt’s ABDELWAHAB Marwan will lead the boys’ team as well as Tunisia’s BOURASS Aboubaker and Algeria’s CHAICHI Abdelbasset while the fourth player will emerge after the final.

    The team is expected to be announced later today by the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) and they are expected to be supported by the continental body in their preparation for the global tournament in China come October.

    Meanwhile, Animasahun has blamed his exit from the group to nervousness, saying, “I think it was the qualification for the World Cadet Challenge that was in my mind and this made me to be nervous during my matches particularly the encounter against Congo Brazzaville’sKIASSI Regis.

    In the women’s U-21, Egypt’s Mahmoud Nabil and Nigeria’s Ajoke Ojomu were the players to attract the attention as play progressed to the quarter-final stage of the event in Algiers.

    Both unseeded players exceeded all expectations by overcoming the top seeds in the second round of proceedings.  In the U-21 Men’s Singles event, Mahmoud Nabil accounted for Congo Brazzaville’s Christ Bienatiki (11-6, 11-6, 12-10, 8-11, 11-4); while in the women’s Singles competition, Ajoke Ojomu overcame Tunisia’s Sahar Othmane (11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-2, 15-13).

  • Nigeria hits ITTF World Junior Championship

    Nigeria hits ITTF World Junior Championship

    With medals to show for their efforts, Team Nigeria (boys and girls) yesterday confirmed their places at the 2016 ITTF World Junior Championship holding in South Africa after finishing among the top three teams at the ongoing ITTF African Junior & Cadet Championship in Algiers.

    It was the boys’ team that first secured their spot after making it to the final where they had to settle for the silver against Egypt in the final.

    But the road to final for the boys was not without its hurdles as Nigeria’s road to South Africa was not without efforts, as the West African giant had to fend off host – Algeria in the quarterfinal before setting up a semifinal clash against the highly-rated Tunisia.

    As the last match on Day Two of the championship, the clash between Nigeria and Tunisia had all the suspense expected of such game being the deciding match to determine the two first teams to qualify for the World Juniors.

    Algeria Junior Open Champion, Tunisia’s Omar Ammous could not save his team from the hand of the Nigerians despite winning his match against Azeez Solanke with Amadi Omeh and Abayomi Animasahun recording emphatic victories over SAADAOUI Mootezz and OUESLATI Raed.

    Bespectacled Omar Ammous tried to restore parity for the Tunisians but the skills of Nigeria’s Amadi Omeh was too much for him to handle as he fell 3-1 to concede an overall 3-1 defeat to Nigeria.

    But the Nigerian boys conceded defeat to Egypt in the final to pick the silver medal.

    Unlike the boys team that girls’ team had to wait till yesterday before knowing their fate.

    They were unfortunate against Algeria in the semifinal tie after losing 3-1 to the host nation.

    And to complete the continent’s three slots for the global championship, the team made up of Ajoke Ojomu, Esther Oribamise and Nimota Aregbesola gently dismantled Angola 3-0 to join Egypt and Algeria at the World Juniors.

    For their efforts, the girls’ team also has a bronze medal to show for their qualification.

    Ajoke Ojomu told NationSport that she was happy that they join the boys in the qualification, while blaming their semifinal loss to Algeria on hard luck. “I am happy that we qualified for the World Junior Championship and this is one of our goals in Algiers and I hope we can do well in other events,” she said.

    Over 10 countries are taking part in the championship with the doubles and singles events serving off today and the tournament ends on April 12.

  • Battle for medals enter crucial stage in Algiers

    The 10 countries present at the 2016 ITTF African Junior & Cadet Championships will today begin the battle for the top medals in the team event as the continental tournament enters crucial stage.

      Three teams in the boys and girls events are expected to join host – South Africa for places in this year’s World Junior Championship and Algeria will not want to take anything for granted as the host nation is doing everything within its reach to make the top three.

      The teams that will advance to the last four in the team event will emerge today while any team that make it to the final have secured their places at the World Juniors. Have been dominating the junior event in Africa, Egypt will be aiming to top the tournament.

      Meanwhile in previous years Egypt’s Aly Ghallab was on top of his game but in Algiers, the player will be competing in the U-21 Men’s Singles.

      Aly Ghallab is undoubtedly a strong contender for honours in the youth age group; as in the counterpart female event are his compatriots, Reem El-Eraky and Yousra Helmy. Both were members the Egyptian Women’s Team at the recent Perfect 2016 World Team Championships.

      However, if there is name to note in the Under 21 Men’s Singles event, it is that of Shady Magdy, likewise from Egypt; at last month’s ITTF World Tour Kuwait Open, he stole the show on the first two days of play.

    He reached the semi-final stage of the Under 21 Men’s Singles event beating the Japanese duo of Tonin Ryuzaki and Kohei Sambe, before overcoming Denmark’s Zhai Yujia in the quarter-finals. Hong Kong’s Ho Kwan Kit ended the journey.

    Notably, on the first day of play, Shady Magdy had been beaten by Zhai Yujia in the open round of the Men’s Singles qualification stage; the later success underlined the growing confidence in the mind of the 20 years old from the Al-Ahly Club in Cairo.

    Seven days of action awaits in Algiers; overall 60 players will compete in the male events, a total of 45 entrants in the female competitions.

  • World juniors qualification is our target – Omoniyi

    World juniors qualification is our target – Omoniyi

    After settling down in Algiers for the 2016 ITTF African Junior & Cadet Championships, Coach Dotun Omoniyi believes they are in the tournament to clinch one of the three slots to the 2016 ITTF World Junior Championships in South Africa.

    Omoniyi, who led the team to their first training session early yesterday told NationSport that they would not be intimidated by the large number of players Egyptians assembled for the tournament.

    “I know that we are the focus of all teams particularly the Egyptians who are hoping to sweep medals at the tournament. We are indeed going to give them a run for their money because they are title contender and we are also one too. We will take each match as they come and hopefully by Thursday we should be talking of picking one of the three slots to the ITTF World Junior Championship in South Africa. The players are ready and they are in high spirit to play and I believe they will spring surprises,” he said.

    Also the marksman of Team Nigeria, Amadi Omeh said what they have learnt from competing at the Egypt Open would be utilised judiciously in Algiers. “We lost to the Egyptians in the final of the team event at Egypt Open but in Algiers it will be a different ball again entirely. I know they are a very strong side but we are also strong as well. I believe time will tell even as we battle them for the title. But I must also say that our main aim is to qualify for the World Juniors,” Omeh said.

    Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Egypt’s Youssef Abdel-Aziz and Amira Yousry as they are the defending champions of the championship.

    The Egyptian duo will be aiming to repeat the successes of one year ago; notably Amira Yousry won the Junior Girls’ Singles title and with Reem Morad, the Junior Girls’ Doubles but for the 18 year old from Cairo there is a debt to settle.

    Egypt suffered a three matches to one defeat in the final of the Junior Girls’ Team event, they were beaten by Algeria; notably Amira Yousry was the one winner for Egypt, she beat Hiba Feredj in the third match of the fixture.

    While Youssef Abdel-Aziz won the Cadet Boys’ Singles title and with Marwan Abdelwahab secured the Cadet Boys’ Doubles crown. He is too old to defend the titles as is his compatriot, Aly Ghallab, the player who in Mauritius enjoyed outstanding success.

  • Quadri leads Nigeria’s rise in ITTF ranking

    • Egypt below Nigeria in team rating

    Aruna Quadri made another giant stride in the latest ITTF ranking to lead Nigeria’s rise in the world rating released by the world table tennis ruling body.

    Quadri remains the best player from the continent for the second time in the last two months, as the 2014 ITTF Star Player improved his world rating from 30 to 29 in the April ranking in the men.

    Also, former African champion and intending seventh time Olympian, Segun Toriola gains more points to move to 109 from 117, while Bode Abiodun also improved to 179 from 185.

    However, former African champion and Egyptian inspirational star, Omar Assar continued to slide in the world rating as the 2015 African Games champion dropped from 36 to 37 in the latest rating.

    In the women rating, Egypt’s Dina Meshref continued to lead the continent despite dropping from 97 to 98.

    The highest rated female Nigerian player is Edem Offiong who remains fourth in the continent despite improving from 242 to 230 in the world, while Olfunke Oshonaike who was ranked 235 has been taken off the ranking due to inactivity in the last six months.

    In the Olympic Team ranking, Nigeria continued to dominate Egypt in the men’s rating despiting dropping from 25 to 26 in the world.

    Egypt were unmoved in the ranking as they are still rooted in the 32nd place in the world.

    In the women team rating, Egypt is still ahead of Nigeria having occupied 31 in the world while Nigeria is 40th.

    This development has put Nigeria’s men team ahead of Egypt in the final team qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic while the Egyptians have automatically made it to Brazil in the women cadre.

    Meanwhile, China’s Ma Long retains his position at the head of the Men’s World Rankings despite finishing second behind compatriot, Zhan Jike at the Kuwait Open.

    It is the 14th consecutive publication that has seen the 27 year-old head the list, since regaining the coveted position in March 2015 at the expense of colleague, Xu Xin.

    Overall it is the 44th time that Ma Long has appeared in top spot, a position he first secured in January 2010.

    In the women world rating, China’s Li Xiaoxia is the player to make the most notable progress amongst the elite names on the Rankings.

    The 28 year old reigning Olympic champion moves from no.8 to no.5 on a list where the names immediately above retain their positions; colleagues Liu Shiwen, Ding Ning and Zhu Yuling once again occupy the respective top three places with Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa next in line.

  • Nath Boys look beyond Lagos FA exit

    Nath Boys look beyond Lagos FA exit

    After exited the Lagos FA cup in the round of 16, Nath Boys Football Club is looking beyond the tournament with the aim of doing better in the Metro League.

    Nath Boys, who were finalist in the 2015 edition of the tournament succumbed the superiority of Premier League debutant, MFM FC in the round of 16 clash on Tuesday and the captain of Nath Boys Innocent Wisdom believes playing against MFM has improved their confidence.

    “It was a good experience for us playing against MFM because they are a good side and for us we have realized that football is not how good you are but the vast experience you have that matters. Playing in the FA Cup has really prepared us for the Metro League which kicks off next Thursday. I must also admit that the MFM team is a very strong side and from the way they played against us, I believe they can go far in the Premier League,” Wisdom said.

    He however, said that they have come over the defeat as they are looking forward to do well in the Metro League as well as improve with each game.

    Like Wisdom, midfielder Ekene Okoliugo admitted the quality of MFM saying, “It was a nice game because we really enjoyed ourselves in the match. I think they showed that they are more experienced than us while we also lost concentration. From the match, we have realized that we must always be 100 percent focus in every match and also ensure that we play from the beginning to the end. With the way the MFM side played, I see them making an impact in the Premier League,” he said.

  • Egypt deserved to win, Siasia admits

    Coach Samson Siasia has accepted the fate of Nigeria while admitting that Egypt deserved the victory they got in Alexandria during the 2017 AFCON Qualifiers.

    He also congratulated Egypt, saying, “Egypt deserved to win in the Alexandria game. I congratulate them for the victory and I thank Nigeria’s players for their performance,” the 48-year-old tactician told reporters after the game.

    Egypt moved within touching distance of a place at next year’s tournament for the first time since 2010 after Ramadan Sobhi scored in the second half at Alexandria’s Borg El-Arab Stadium amid a large fan attendance.

    “The fans attendance didn’t influence our performance negatively but in fact it helped the opponents’ morale and supported them powerfully,” the former Durgapur FC coach added.

    The win cemented Egypt’s position on top of Group G with seven points, five clear of second-placed Nigeria who have now lost hope of reaching Africa’s most prestigious tournament in Gabon next year.

    “I have been appointed in the Nigerian job in very hard circumstances. The Egypt game was like a challenge for me and I thank my team for what they did,” Siasia who took over the Super Eagles earlier this month added.

    With one game left against Tanzania, after Chad decided to withdraw from the group two days ago, Egypt could formally secure qualification even with a minor loss to the east African team.

    Tanzania’s slim hopes in gaining the upper hand in the head-to-head record with the Pharaohs lie in 1) beating Egypt by more than a three-goal margin — given that they suffered an opening 3-0 defeat by the Pharaohs in June last year — and 2) overcoming Nigeria in their final game.

  • Athletes thrilled over CCSF Taewkondo Training

    Athletes thrilled over CCSF Taewkondo Training

    They were exposed to latest equipment coupled with the new rules guiding the sport, the 85 athletes that featured in the three-day taekwondo training organized by Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) are eagerly yearning for more of such exercise in the North West region of the country.

    The 85 athletes came from Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara to be part of the CCSF: “Inspire the Zones [North West]” programme held at the Kebbi State Taekwondo Dojang, in Birnin Kebbi on March 24 to 26.

    According to the host and sponsor of the event who is also  the Kebbi State Taekwondo Chairman and a Board Member of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Abdullahi Saidu, the objective was to inspire and empower athletes and coaches in the region through a practical education in specific training and coaching techniques, tactics and methodologies.

    The intensive programme involved referee training for athletes, physical training, taekwondo forms basics, competitive training and technical-tactical training. There was also a taekwondo-specific coaching seminar for coaches from Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.

    It was attended by the Kebbi State Permanent Secretary, Kebbi State Director of Sports, Four Board Members of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, 76 athletes and 9 coaches from Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and Niger State.

    Zamfara taekwondo contingent takes a pose with program host, Abdullahi Saidu, 3-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije and NTF Board Member representing North West, Alhaji Muh'd Maccido Garba.
    Zamfara taekwondo contingent takes a pose with program host, Abdullahi Saidu, 3-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije and NTF Board Member representing North West, Alhaji Muh’d Maccido Garba.

    Resource persons for the programme included 3-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije; International Certified Coach and 2-time National Champion, Sani Lawal; and Commonwealth Champion, Jamilu Mohammed.

    For Kebbi-state athlete, 21-old-year Micah Peters, the program was very educative. “We really enjoyed the program because we were exposed to the competition rules and regulations, what we are supposed to do or not do in the ring. We hope that this kind of program can be done regularly because we benefited so much from it.”

    For Yakubu Danbauchi, one of the participants in the coaching program. “The program was excellent. We have been organizing workshops but this is the best so far. We were exposed to equipment and training program we did not know existed.”

    The Permanent-Secretary of Kebbi State Government, Garba Hussaini Mungadi, was thrilled with the exercise, and pledged that Taekwondo will be one of the important sports to be supported by the state government. “The attendance was very impressive and I was particularly happy about this. The program was well celebrated and accepted by all, and we will support the sport.”

    For the Kebbi State Director of Sports, Usman Ladan, the program would help develop champions.

    Group Picture of Participants at the "Inspire the Zones" Campaign.
    Group Picture of Participants at the “Inspire the Zones” Campaign.

    “It was a really good program that was interesting and commendable. The caliber of resources person was high and every participant is going home happy. Hopefully, this will be a turning point for Taekwondo, not only in Kebbi State, but in the region.”

    For African Champion, Jamilu Mohammed who was a resource person for the event, it was an opportunity to give back to the taekwondo sporting community. “I was very happy to come here and share my wealth of knowledge and experience with the upcoming players. The kind of technical training they received will go a long way in producing quality national players a couple of years from now.”

    For NTF Board Member representing North East, “The program had a unique impact on my zone and I am sure that the athletes in this zone similarly went home with a lot of knowledge about taekwondo.”

    Chairman of Kebbi State Taekwondo and Program Host, Abdullahi Saidu was equally pleased with the program. The 3-days of rigorous training for fitness, referee training and competitive training was a success. As most of the participants are newbies, the knowledge went a long way enhancing capacity building for coaches and athletes on the modern-day methodology and techniques. Overall, it was a success.”

  • Nigeria finishes second at ITTF Junior Circuit in Egypt

    Nigeria finishes second at ITTF Junior Circuit in Egypt

    With just four boys, Nigeria still made its presence felt at the ITTF Junior Circuit tagged Egypt Open after the West African giant finished second behind host – Egypt in the overall medal table.

    As the host – Egypt dominated the event claiming gold medals in the junior events while also sharing the gold with Nigeria and India in the cadet and mini-cadet events.

    In the junior team event, Egypt claimed gold in the boys and girls divisions while they also ruled in the singles and doubles.

    To be named the second overall best team, Nigeria inspired by Amadi Omeh claimed one gold and three silver medals to beat India to third place. India won one gold and one bronze medals.

    Egypt’s Marwan Abdelwahab and Mariam Abdelaziz won the respective Cadet Boys’ Singles and Cadet Girls’ Singles titles. Meanwhile, Rinad Fathy and Eman Taha donned the Cadet Girls’ Doubles crown with Hend Fathy emerging as the winner if the Mini-Cadet Girls’ event.

    However, both the Mini-Cadet Boys’ Singles and the Cadet Boys’ Singles titles finished in the hands of visitors from foreign shores. India’s Payas Jain emerged as the Mini Cadet Boys’ Singles winner, Nigeria’s Amadi Omeh and Azeez Solanke secured the Cadet Boys’ Doubles crown.

    At the final hurdle, Payas Hain beat Abayomi Animasahun (9-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-9) in the one title deciding contest in the whole tournament that did not feature an Egyptian player.

    In the Cadet Boys’ Doubles competition Amadi Omeh and Azeez Solanke combined to secure success at the hands of the host nation’s Ammar Attia and Omar Elsafty (11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-4).

    Otherwise, it was success for Egypt with Marwan Abdelwahab adding to his Cadet Boys’ Team success secured earlier in the week and Mariam Abdelaziz progressing one step higher than her silver medal finish in the Cadet Girls’ Team competition.

    In events dominated by Egyptian players in the latter stages, Marwan Abdelwahab accounted for Ammar Attia (11-8, 7-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7) at the quarter-final stage, before securing his place in the final courtesy of success against Mazen Farouk (11-8, 11-8, 11-2).

    A place in the title deciding contest reserved, the top step of the podium was reserved but Marwan Abdelwahab came perilously close to defeat. He trailed Nigeria’s Azeez Solanke by two games to nil, won the third game by the very narrow of margins before gaining in confidence to secure victory (8-11, 7-11, 13-11, 11-4, 11-7).

    In the opposite half of the draw Azeez Solanke had beaten Ahmed Elborhamy at the quarter-final stage (11-9, 12-14, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6), prior to ousting India’s Payas Jain (11-9, 11-9, 11-6), to reserve his place in the final.

    Tense moments for Marwan Abdelwahab; it was to some extent the same for Mariam Abdelaziz.

    At the quarter-final stage, she needed the full five games to beat Sara Elhakem, only emerging successful by the minimal two point margin in the deciding game (8-11, 11-5, 17-19, 11-9, 11-9). A semi-final place booked, she accounted for Waad Ibrahim (11-4, 11-7, 11-6) and Zeina Essam (11-5, 11-3, 13-11) to claim the title.

    Less problematic, at the quarter-final stage Zeina Essam has beaten Farida Badawy (12-10, 11-4, 11-6) before overcoming Waad Ibrahim to reserve her place in the final (11-4, 11-7, 11-6).

    Success for Egypt in the Cadet Boys’ Singles and Cadet Girls’ Singles events; also they enjoyed success in the Cadet Girls’ Doubles and Mini Cadet Boys’ Singles competitions.

  • AFCON: Alexandria tie will be difficult – Egypt coach

    Aware of the quality of Nigerian players, Egypt assistant coach Osama Nabih believes the second leg tie in Alexandria would be a difficult match for the Pharaohs in their quest to confirm a place in the African Cup of Nations finals when they host Nigeria in the qualifiers on Tuesday.

    “The return match will be very difficult, so we have to concentrate well and we shouldn’t exaggerate in our celebration after the draw in Nigeria.

    “We achieved what we wanted against Nigeria, but we have passed just 10 percent of the road to the African finals,” Nabih told Al-Hayat TV Channel after the match.

    The valuable draw in Nigeria put Egypt in a comfortable position before they host the Super Eagles in the second of a double-header at Alexandria’s Borg El-Arab Stadium.

    Egypt, who have not qualified for the Nations Cup since winning the last of their record seven trophies in 2010, have seven points from three games, two ahead of Nigeria and three clear of third-placed Tanzania. Chad lie at the bottom with no points.

    The winners will automatically reach next year’s Nations Cup finals in Gabon.